Snow conditions 14. 3. 2025

General avalanche danger level - Friday, 14. 3. 2025
The danger is level 4 on the European 5-level scale - HIGH.
Main problem: weak layers, wind-packed snow, new snow
Danger pattern: Cooling after warm weather / warming after cold
Danger pattern: Rain

Risk assessment
Avalanche danger is above 1800 m HIGH, level 4, lower down CONSIDERABLE, level 3, with slightly less danger in the Kamniško-Savinjske Alpe area and Eastern Karavanke. In recent days huge amounts of new snow have fallen in the mountains, especially in the high mountains. Moderate to strong south to southwest winds have transported snow in large quantities. In the high mountains spontaneous release of even large new snow avalanches is expected. Where weak layers in the old snow cover become overloaded, deeper avalanches will release. Snow avalanches may occur also in areas where they are not common. In the mid-mountains snow is turning to rain, wet snow avalanches will occur, on grassy or leaf-covered slopes also ground avalanches. Conditions are unfavourable and demanding. Due to poor visibility avalanche areas will be hard to recognize.

Snow conditions
Since Wednesday evening 50 to more than 100 cm of new snow has fallen in the high mountains, the most in the area of Western and Southern Julijci. Less snow fell in the mid-mountains where it occasionally rained in between. 20 to 70 cm of snow fell, depending mainly on elevation. On Friday morning it snowed down to alpine valleys where up to 10 cm fell. Moderate to strong south to southwest wind mainly above the treeline transported snow and formed slabs, dunes and drifts. With warming and rain the snow has now become wet up to 1800 m elevation. Conditions are changing rapidly.

Forecast weather evolution
Today Friday afternoon cloudy and foggy with precipitation. Showers will occur so precipitation intensity will fluctuate. The snow line will also vary, mostly from 1600 to 2000 m. In the area of Eastern Julijci and Western Karavanke it may snow much lower. Towards evening a somewhat drier air mass will temporarily arrive, clouds may break up. Initially moderate to strong southwest wind will blow, weakening in the evening. Temperature at 1500 m from 1 to 4, at 2500 m around -2 °C. On Saturday night moderate precipitation will spread again from the south over all mountains. The snow line may drop again to some alpine valleys. Mostly however it will be at elevations between 1200 and 1500 m. On Saturday during the day cloudy and foggy with moderate precipitation. The snow line will rise again and in the afternoon will be at around 1500 m elevation. In the mid-mountains an easterly wind will temporarily blow, in the high mountains moderate southwest wind will persist. Temperature at 1500 m around 2, at 2500 m around -3 °C. Local precipitation will persist also Saturday night into Sunday and initially on Sunday. In the afternoon showers will subside, temporary clearing. Southwest wind will weaken. In the afternoon it will cool somewhat. Temperature at 1500 m around 1, at 2500 m around -5 °C. On Monday initially cloudy with light snowfall which will subside during the day. In the afternoon clearing. Northeasterly wind strengthening. Noticeably colder. Temperature at 1500 m midday around -3, at 2500 m around -10 °C.

Trend in snow conditions
SNOW AND AVALANCHE CONDITIONS WILL REMAIN DEMANDING. In total another 30 to 60 cm of snow will fall in the high mountains, the most in the Julijci area. In the mid-mountains much less snow will fall as there will also be rain in between. Especially on Saturday the southwest wind will transport fresh snow in the high mountains. VISITS TO THE MOUNTAINS ARE NOT RECOMMENDED!

Next bulletin: Monday, 17. 3. 2025

Source: ARSO