Snow conditions 13.2.2023

General avalanche danger level - Monday, 13. 2. 2023
The danger is level 2 on the European five-level scale - MODERATE.
Main problem: wind slab, weak layers
Danger pattern: Cooling after warm weather / warming after cold

Risk assessment
Avalanche danger is MODERATE, level 2 above about 2000 m elevation, elsewhere LOW, level 1. Steep slopes and gullies with areas of wind slab are dangerous. There, under greater load, you can trigger mainly a smaller slab avalanche. Deeper in the snowpack, weak layers are present especially on shady slopes, which can release at individual spots under high additional stress. In transition zones between thin and thick snow cover, the danger of triggering an avalanche is increased. The snowpack has stabilised considerably in recent days. On wind-scoured areas there is a risk of gliding.

Snow conditions
It has warmed up considerably in the mountains, but the air is very dry. During the day, a crust forms on the surface of sun-exposed slopes, freezing at night. The snow is mostly covered with a crust that formed due to wind or daytime thaw and nighttime freezing. On wind-exposed sites, the snow is wind-packed to the hard base. There are still slabs and wind slabs, but due to the hard crust they are harder to trigger.

Forecast weather development
On Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday it will be mostly clear. At night temperatures will be below zero mainly on plateaus and in basins and valleys, on slopes mostly not. The zero isotherm will mostly be above the highest peaks. Wind will be light, only on Tuesday moderate north wind in places. Relative humidity will be low.

Trend of snow conditions
The snowpack will slowly transform, faster on sun-exposed slopes. There will be a slightly higher chance of triggering a small avalanche mainly midday and in the afternoon, in shaded locations the snow will remain dry or frozen. Avalanche danger will not change much.

Next issue: Thursday, 16. 2. 2023

Source: ARSO