Snow conditions 15.2.2021

The danger is level 3 on the European five-level scale - CONSIDERABLE.

Main problem: wind-blown snow, weak layers



Risk assessment

Avalanche danger is above sea level around 1500 m, CONSIDERABLE, level 3, lower down MODERATE, level 2. The snowpack in the mid-mountains is more stable due to cooling than higher up, icy surfaces have increased on wind-exposed locations. In the high mountains there is a lot of unsettled snow, which has only slowly settled and poorly transformed in recent days. Particularly dangerous are steeper slopes and places with wind-blown snow, also gullies where the wind has deposited snow. Even with a small load on the snowpack you can trigger a slab avalanche, spontaneous release is less likely but not impossible.



Snow conditions

The snowpack in the high mountains is soft and loose and sinks deeply, lower down it is frozen. On sun-exposed slopes a crust is slowly forming due to daytime melting. There are many snowdrifts and wind slabs, wind-exposed locations are heavily scoured and icy in places.



Forecast weather development

Today it will be clear, from mid-afternoon clouding over from the northwest, cloud base high above the summits. Weak north to northwesterly wind. Temperatures below zero. Tomorrow moderate, occasionally mostly cloudy. Some summits occasionally in clouds. Weak westerly to northwesterly wind. Freezing level will gradually rise in the afternoon a little above 2000 m above sea level. On Wednesday and Thursday moderate, occasionally mostly cloudy. Weak to moderate northwesterly wind. Freezing level initially around 2100 m above sea level, cooling slightly during the day. Similar weather on Thursday as well.



Trend in snow conditions

In the coming days, due to warming, the snowpack will begin to transform and settle faster, especially on sun-exposed slopes where the surface crust will strengthen. The warming will not cause major destabilization for now, as the air will be relatively dry and temperatures not very high. The possibility of spontaneous triggering of some slab avalanche on steep slopes will increase somewhat, and the snowpack will also be potentially somewhat more unstable. Conditions will remain demanding especially on steeper slopes and midday and afternoon on southern slopes. No major changes in high mountain gullies.



Next issue: Wednesday, 17.2.2021



Source: ARSO