Snow conditions 13.4.2023

General danger level - Thursday, 13 April 2023
The danger is level 3 on the European 5-level scale - CONSIDERABLE.
Main problem: wind slab, new snow
Danger pattern: Cooling after warm weather / warming after cold

Risk assessment
With heavy snowfall, the avalanche danger increases rapidly. Currently, above about 1800 m it is CONSIDERABLE (significant), lower down, where there is still old snow, mostly MODERATE, level 2. Steep slopes in the high mountains are particularly dangerous, where we expect spontaneous avalanches of unbonded snow. At the same time, with the northeast wind, especially in the high mountains, new slabs are forming. Areas of unstable snowpack are difficult to recognize. In the mid-mountains, dry snow is now falling, which will bond somewhat better with the base.

Snow conditions
Heavy precipitation above about 1600 m has brought quite a bit of new snow. Currently, 20 to 30 cm has fallen. Above about 2000 m it is dry, lower down it was initially wet, but with cooling it is also becoming dry a bit lower. The wind is creating wind drifts and cornices. Beneath the new snow is the old snow, which is hard in the high mountains, but wet and considerably transformed in the mid-mountains.

Forecast weather development
Tonight snowfall will weaken, but in the Julian Alps, western and central Karawanks, and Kamnik-Savinja Alps it will snow for most of tomorrow morning, although the amount will be much less than today. Winds from northerly directions will blow. The snow line will initially be around 1100 m, tomorrow afternoon rising to about 1500 m a.s.l. Tomorrow it will be cloudy and foggy in places. In the afternoon there will still be minor local precipitation. On Saturday it will be variable to mostly cloudy with afternoon local showers. The zero isotherm will be around 1600 m a.s.l.

Trend in snow conditions
Snow and avalanche conditions will deteriorate further overnight. Tomorrow in the high mountains of the western and southern Julian Alps the avalanche danger will be HIGH, level 4, elsewhere CONSIDERABLE, level 3. Below about 1800 m the danger will be MODERATE, level 2. Steep slopes and areas with wind slab, gullies and ridges with cornices will be dangerous. Spontaneous avalanches of new, unbonded snow are possible, and in areas with wind slab you can trigger slab avalanches with minor loads on the snowpack. Conditions will be difficult and dangerous, so we recommend avoiding the high mountains for at least a day or two. Great caution is also needed lower down. As soon as the sun shines, the danger on sun-exposed slopes will increase with the daily cycle. Since no significant warming is expected, avalanche conditions will improve only slowly.

Next issue: Sunday, 16 April 2023

Source: ARSO