Snow conditions 13.2.2018

General danger level - Tuesday, 13. 2. 2018

Danger is 3rd degree on the European five-level scale - CONSIDERABLE.

Main problem: new snow, wind slab

Danger pattern: Cold weather, unbonded fresh snow due to wind

Danger pattern: Cooling after warm weather / thaw after frost



Risk assessment

Avalanche danger above the forest line, where more than 20 cm of snow fell, is CONSIDERABLE, 3rd degree, where there is less new snow and below the forest line MODERATE, 2nd degree. Especially dangerous are steep slopes and areas with wind slab, where even a small load can trigger an avalanche. Possible release of small and medium-sized avalanches from steep slopes. Below the forest line and in the western Julian Alps and eastern Karawanks, where less snow fell, the danger remains 2nd degree.



Snow conditions

Until this morning, in the larger part of our mountains 20 to about 30, in the high mountains in places up to about 40 cm of dry snow fell. Only in the eastern Karawanks and western Julian Alps new snow from 5 to about 15 cm. North-east wind drifted snow considerably into drifts. The snow cover is soft and loose and unbonded, on wind-exposed locations drifted to the old, hard and partly icy base.



Forecast weather development

Today mostly cloudy and partly foggy. In the afternoon it will start clearing slowly from north-west. Moderate to strong north-easterly wind blowing, weakening in the afternoon. Tomorrow and Thursday mostly clear. Tomorrow weak, in the north-east possibly moderate north-easterly, Thursday weak wind mostly western directions. Thursday daytime gradually somewhat warmer in heights, but currently no indication temperature above zero. Also Friday partly clear with occasional moderate cloudiness.



Tendency of snow conditions

New snow due to low temperatures will settle and metamorphose only slowly, north-east wind will transport it today and tomorrow making new drifts. From Thursday onwards due to somewhat higher temperature and sunny weather on southern slopes snow will wet slightly daytime and refreeze at night. Crust will form. At the same time on these areas snow cover midday and afternoon somewhat more unstable than rest of the day. Still main danger numerous weak layers, on steep slopes avalanche can trigger even with small snow cover load.



Next publication: Friday, 16. 2. 2018



Source: ARSO