Snow conditions 13.4.2022

General hazard level - Wednesday, 13 April 2022
Hazard is level 2 on the European five-level scale - MODERATE.
Main problem: wind slab, wet snow, favourable conditions
Danger pattern: Spring situation
Danger pattern: Cooling after warm weather / warming after frost

Risk assessment
Avalanche danger is gradually decreasing, currently above about 2000 m MODERATE, level 2, lower down LOW, level 1. Dangerous especially areas with larger amounts of wind-blown snow. This is mainly in steep couloirs, where you can trigger a small snow avalanche even with low additional load. During the day, due to the influence of the sun and warming, the snowpack will become wet particularly on sun-exposed slopes, spontaneous wet snow avalanches are possible. Avalanche release danger will also temporarily increase below 2000 m.

Snow conditions
The snow that fell during the last deterioration has started to transform faster in the past two days. Especially in the mid-mountains it has already melted considerably. On pronounced sun-exposed slopes there is little or no snow. In more shaded areas a crust has formed, in distinctly north-facing high mountain locations some dry and in places loose snow can still be found. But mostly the snowpack has been considerably reshaped by wind. There are many wind drifts, both on northern and southern sides of ridges and passes.

Forecast weather development
Today and Thursday mostly clear with some high cloudiness. At midday and in the afternoon some shallow cumulus clouds will form. Wind weak and variable. Very warm. Today at midday temperature at 1500 m around 9, at 2500 m around 4 °C. Tomorrow even a degree warmer. On Friday morning cloudiness will increase from the north. At midday and in the afternoon showers will form, possibly with thunder. Snow line high, above 2200 m. In the afternoon weak to moderate northerly wind. At midday temperature at 1500 m around 7, at 2500 m around 0 °C.

Trend in snow conditions
Snow conditions will be spring-like until Friday inclusive. Overnight the snowpack will also freeze due to dry air, during the day it will become significantly wet and also melt due to the sun's influence. Considerable differences between sun-exposed and shaded locations. Avalanche danger will be LOW in the morning and initially in the forenoon, level 1, at midday and in the afternoon above about 1800 m MODERATE, level 2. The next avalanche bulletin will be published on Friday, 15.4.2022.

Next issue: Friday, 15 April 2022

Source: ARSO