Snow conditions 15.12.2023

General danger level - Friday, 15 December 2023
Danger is level 3 on the European five-level scale - CONSIDERABLE.
Main problem: wind-drifted snow
Danger pattern: Cold weather, loose fresh snow with wind

Risk assessment
Avalanche danger above sea level around 1700 m is CONSIDERABLE, level 3, lower down MODERATE, level 2. Especially steep slopes and places with drifted snow are dangerous, where with minor loading you can trigger a small or medium-sized slab avalanche, spontaneous release of small and medium-sized and individual large loose dry snow avalanches is also possible. Above around 2000 m, old slabs are also covered with new snow.

Snow conditions
Snow is mainly in the high mountains dry, soft and light, drifted due to the north wind on exposed sites. Slabs have formed and are still forming. Lower down, snow may still be wet or frozen. The consolidated snowpack mostly starts above around 1000 m above sea level.

Forecast weather development
Today, Friday, it will be partly clear with occasional moderate cloudiness, more of it in the eastern Karawanks and on Pohorje. Some summits may occasionally be in clouds. A moderate, occasionally locally strong northerly wind will blow. The zero isotherm will drop to around 1000 m above sea level by evening. On Saturday it will be mostly clear, occasionally moderately cloudy in the eastern part of our mountains. Wind conditions will be similar to Friday, but in the heights somewhat warmer air will slowly start arriving. On Sunday it will be mostly clear, distinctly warming up. 0 degrees will be above our highest summits, and the air will be very dry. The wind will weaken considerably. Also at the beginning of next week the weather will be similar to Sunday.

Tendency of snow conditions
Avalanche danger will remain INCREASED, especially since the wind will transport snow and slabs will form mainly on the south sides of ridges and saddles. Due to low temperatures and dry air, the snow will initially remain soft and will only transform slowly; some thin crusts may form only due to the wind. From Sunday onwards, due to strong warming, snow on sun-exposed slopes will settle during the day, mainly at elevations below around 2000 m, and freeze at night. Crust will form. In shady locations, snow will remain dry and soft. Drifted sites may become icy or hard. Avalanche danger will decrease only slowly.

Next issue: Monday, 18 December 2023

Source: ARSO