Snow conditions 13.11.2019

The danger is level 3 on the European five-level scale - CONSIDERABLE.

Main problem: new snow

Danger pattern: Cold weather, poorly bonded fresh snow with wind

RISK ASSESSMENT

Avalanche danger in the high mountains of the Julian Alps above about 2000 m is CONSIDERABLE, level 3, below 1600 m LOW, level 1. Medium-sized and smaller avalanches of poorly bonded snow can release from sufficiently steep slopes. There are many wind slabs that can be triggered by minor additional load on the snowpack.

SNOW CONDITIONS

On Tuesday and Wednesday, it snowed more abundantly especially in the high mountains of the Julian Alps and the western Karawanks, with up to 1 m of new snow in places. Above 2000 m it mostly snowed, lower down it initially also rained. On Wednesday the snow line dropped below 1300 m, with snow falling even to some alpine valleys. Elsewhere in our mountains there was less precipitation, the snow line mostly above 1800 m. The snow is soft, the south to south-easterly wind blew it into wind slabs on exposed locations, mostly on north-western to north-eastern sides of ridges and saddles. Above about 2200 m the temperature was always below zero, so snow there is mostly dry, lower down there are also layers of wetter snow.

EXPECTED WEATHER DEVELOPMENT

Today it will still snow in the Julian Alps, elsewhere the snow line will drop to about 1200 m elevation, but precipitation will weaken in the afternoon. A light to moderate south-westerly wind will blow, in the northern mountain groups the wind will temporarily turn northerly. Tomorrow it will be dry at first, especially in the high mountains it will clear up. In the afternoon it will become cloudy, light snow will start again. At 1500 m around 0, at 2500 m around -4 °C. On Friday precipitation will intensify, the snow line will rise during the day also above 2000 m elevation. Again most precipitation expected in the Julian Alps area. With the thaw, snow below 1800 m will melt quickly, in the high mountains abundant snowfall expected. A moderate to strong southerly wind will drift snow to the northern sides of ridges and saddles. In the night to Saturday the snow line will drop to about 1500 m, but precipitation will temporarily weaken.

TREND IN SNOW CONDITIONS

Due to the great depth of newly fallen snow, avalanche danger in the high Julian Alps will be CONSIDERABLE today and tomorrow morning, level 3. Elsewhere mostly MODERATE, level 2. Avalanche conditions will INCREASE again on Friday with possible thaw and due to snowfall in the high mountains. Strong wind will form new wind slabs on northern sides of ridges. Most precipitation in the western Julian Alps, less towards the east. Therefore visiting the high mountains especially in the Julian Alps is not recommended until further notice.



Source: ARSO