Snow conditions 14.3.2016

AVALANCHE RISK ASSESSMENT



Avalanche danger is level 2.



The snowpack has somewhat stabilized. In sunny weather, snow melts and softens on sun-exposed slopes during the day, so afternoon slab avalanches are possible on steep grassy mid-mountain slopes. On northern slopes in the high mountains, snow is poorly transformed, so the surface layers are still poorly bonded to those below. There is a lot of wind slab. An avalanche can be triggered by a large additional load on steep slopes and areas with wind-deposited snow.





SNOW CONDITIONS and CURRENT SNOWPACK STATE



At the end of the week, cloudy weather prevailed. Up to 10 cm of snow fell in places in the mountains. There was occasional sun on Saturday, especially in the western part of our mountains, so the snowpack there melted somewhat more during the day. Due to cloud cover, it refroze only above about 1000 m. Strong winds from the north and east continued to transport snow into drifts, especially in the high mountains.



In the Julian Alps and western Karawanks, at 2500 m there is 330 to about 420 cm of snow, at 1500 m 210 to about 320 cm, at 1000 m 20 to about 50 cm. Elsewhere in our mountains, at 1500 m 80 to about 140 cm of snow, less towards the east. Significant snow cover starts at about 800 m above sea level, lower in gullies. Snowpack conditions vary considerably. Lower down the snow is mostly southerly. Higher up, especially on sun-exposed slopes and wind-exposed sites, it is crusted, sometimes hard. Only in sheltered shady gullies is it still soft and dry. There are many drifts and slabs. On wind-exposed sites, the snow is quite wind-packed.





FORECAST WEATHER DEVELOPMENT



Today it will clear up, the wind will decrease. Freezing level at about 1100 m above sea level.



Tomorrow it will cloud over rapidly in the morning, with light snowfall midday and afternoon. North winds will blow. It will cool, freezing level dropping to about 900 m above sea level. Cloudy weather also on Wednesday night.





SNOW CONDITION TREND



The snowpack will settle and transform slowly. Today, under solar influence, it will melt and become temporarily somewhat more unstable on sun-exposed slopes, but sun influence will be minimal in shady high-mountain sites. At night, snow will refreeze lower down as the night will be clear.



Tomorrow and on Wednesday it will be cloudy and gradually colder, so the snow will mostly remain frozen. The wind will no longer form large new drifts. Slightly lower temperatures will be favorable for snowpack stability. Avalanche conditions will not change much by midweek.

Next report will be issued on WEDNESDAY, 16.3.2016 in the morning.



Source: ARSO