Snow conditions 13.3.2020

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

Main problem: wind slab

Danger pattern: cooling after warm weather / warming after cold



Risk assessment

Avalanche danger is currently MODERATE above about 1500 m elevation, level 2, lower down small, level 1. You can trigger an avalanche with significant additional load on the snowpack especially on steeper slopes and at locations with wind slab. Spontaneous release is less likely.



Snow conditions

In the high mountains there is plenty of snow, below about 1500 m it decreases rapidly. Snow conditions are quite varied. The snowpack has settled and stabilized somewhat due to thawing in recent days. There is a lot of wind slab and slabs. On sunny aspects the snow is crusty and there is somewhat less of it than on shady aspects, where it is still soft in places.



Weather forecast

Today it will be cloudy and also foggy. Initially, light precipitation will occur especially in the western ranges. The snow line will be high, above 2000 m. In the afternoon and evening a cold front will pass. Precipitation will temporarily intensify somewhat but quickly subside. It will cool down, the snow line will drop to around 1100 m elevation by evening. Expect 5 to about 10 cm of snow. North wind will pick up in the afternoon. Saturday will be cloudy and foggy in places, with occasional light snow in the afternoon. East to northeast wind. Cold, freezing level around 1100 m. Sunday mostly clear, only in the morning some clouds on the edges of the eastern Julian Alps and Kamnik-Savinja Alps. Cold. Winds from the east. Monday also mostly clear and somewhat warmer.



Tendency of snow conditions

The snow will freeze, some new snow will fall, but the amount will not be very large - expect 10 to about 20 cm. Drifts will form mainly on western slopes. On Sunday the sun will soften the snow somewhat on sun-exposed slopes during the day, which will freeze at night and crust will strengthen. From Monday onwards it will gradually warm up again, so the snow will settle and transform faster, but at the same time become temporarily unstable during the day on sun-exposed aspects. Individual wet snow avalanches may release again especially on steep slopes.



Next issue: Monday, 16.3.2020



Source: ARSO