Snow conditions 15.3.2021

Danger is 3rd level on the European five-point scale - CONSIDERABLE.

Main problem: wind slab

Danger pattern: Cold weather, poorly bonded fresh snow with wind



Risk assessment

Avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE, 3rd level above about 1700 m, mostly MODERATE, 2nd level lower down. New snow fell onto a hard and icy base. Strong northerly wind blew it entirely into wind slabs. You can trigger an avalanche quickly at locations with wind slabs. New snow is soft, wind-scoured areas are hard and icy, similar on ridges. There is a high risk of slipping there.



Snow conditions

On Sunday 10 to 30 cm of snow fell onto a hard base. A strong northerly wind blew. New snow has been blown into wind slabs on wind-exposed terrain, with a weak layer underneath. During snowfall, surface hoar or graupel fell in places, making the connection between new and old snow even weaker locally. Since some south-facing slopes were snow-free up to around 1800 m, the potential for slabs is much lower there than on north faces; conditions are therefore highly dependent on elevation and aspect. Wind-scoured areas are hard and icy.



Forecast weather evolution

Today initially mostly clear, during the day low stratus clouds forming and in the afternoon some snow showers. Moderate northerly winds. Freezing level below 1000 m a.s.l. Tomorrow partly clear with occasional increased cloudiness. Strengthening northerly winds. Temperatures in the mountains below freezing. On Wednesday and Thursday cold weather will continue. Winds will gradually weaken. Wednesday sunny, Thursday more cloudy again.



Trend in snow conditions

Avalanche danger will gradually decrease slightly. However, due to low temperatures, snow will transform mainly only on sun-exposed terrain, where it will become wet during the day and refreeze at night, forming crust. In shaded areas, avalanche and snow conditions will change little for a few days. Even higher up in the high mountains, the influence of the sun on south-facing slopes will be less due to low temperatures. High risk of slipping on ridges and where new snow has been scoured to the old base will remain. Weak layers will be critical, where a snow slab avalanche can be triggered by a minor load on the snowpack, but no large avalanches are expected this way.



Next bulletin: Thursday, 18.3.2021



Source: ARSO