Snow conditions 12.5.2016

General danger level - Thursday, 12 May 2016

Danger is level 2 on the European five-level scale - MODERATE.

Main problem: wet snow

Risk assessment

Danger in the mountains above about 2000 m a.s.l. is MODERATE, level 2, lower where there is little snow LOW, level 1. Avalanche can be triggered by large additional load mainly on steep slopes and places with windpacked snow. Today and in the following days also at night and in lower altitudes where there is still enough snow, increased possibility of wet snow slab avalanches on sufficiently steep slopes - due to higher temperatures, more cloud cover and occasional rain.

Snow conditions

CONDITIONS in the mountains are winter-spring. Recent days variably cloudy, yesterday also some rain fell. Snowfall line was relatively high, above about 2500 m a.s.l. Freezing level was mostly above highest summits, today at about 2800 m. In past days snow froze overnight only in high mountains, and not every day. In the past night due to cloudiness snow cover remained softened. In Julian Alps at 2500 m 260 to about 290 cm snow, at 1500 m 10 to about 60 cm. Elsewhere in our mountains 10 to about 60 cm snow. Consolidated snow cover starts at quite varying heights. In Julian Alps on shady aspects and plateaus snow still below 1500 m, on sunny slopes above about 1800 m. Elsewhere sunny aspects mostly bare to about 2000 m, shady snow lies a bit lower, to about 1600 m.

Forecast weather development

Today cloudy with precipitation, afternoon mainly local showers and thunderstorms. Snowfall line will lower to altitude about 2300 m. Snow will also be wet in high mountains. From tomorrow to Monday morning weather more variable. Friday and Saturday mainly showers and isolated thunderstorms. Night to Sunday and Sunday morning cloudy with precipitation. Somewhat cooling, snowfall line will lower to altitude about 1400 m. Afternoon precipitation will ease and clearing.

Trend of snow conditions

Snow cover will settle and in lower altitudes also melt with rain. On higher parts of high mountains, Sunday also lower, some wet snow will fall. Freezing level to tomorrow will lower to altitude about 2400 m, Sunday to about 1800 m. Night to Monday partly clear, snow will freeze. New snow will presumably bond well with base. Spontaneous release of new snow therefore not expected. Snow avalanche you can trigger only by large additional load of snow cover mainly on steeper slopes. Due to Sunday cooling also old snow cover where no new snow, somewhat more stable. Danger in altitudes with new snow will remain MODERATE, level 2.



Source: ARSO