Snow conditions 12.12.2018

Danger level is 1 on the European 5-level scale - LOW.

Main problem: wind-blown snow, new snow

Danger pattern: cooling after warm weather / warming after frost



Risk assessment

Avalanche danger is LOW, level 1. The snowpack is stable. There are many windslabs in the high mountains, where the only possibility is that a slab might release under heavy load on sufficiently steep slopes.



Snow conditions

Dry weather continues. It has cooled down, a strengthened northerly wind has blown. Snow conditions are very varied. Generally there is little snow, somewhat more only in the high mountains of the Julian Alps. In sheltered locations the snow is soft, on wind-exposed sites it is hard or crusty, often heavily wind-scoured, even to bare ground. Significant snow cover starts between 1300 and 1500 m, sometimes higher.



Forecast weather development

Today dry and partly sunny, more cloudy in the eastern part of our mountains. Cloud bases will be above the summits. Moderate wind from northern directions will blow. Tomorrow cloudy, occasional snow flurries possible, but the amount will be negligible. Light to moderate east to southeast wind. On Friday cloudy, occasional light snowfall, expected amount 5 to 15 cm. East to southeast wind. Temperatures below zero all days.



Trend in snow conditions

Due to low temperatures, the snow will transform and settle only slowly today and tomorrow. No major new windslabs due to wind. Avalanche danger will be LOW, level 1. Only at sites with wind-blown snow we still recommend some caution. We expect that due to new snow the avalanche danger will slightly increase on Friday during the day or until Saturday morning.



Next issue: Saturday, 15. 12. 2018



Source: ARSO