Snow conditions 15.4.2016

Danger is level 2 on the European five-level scale - MODERATE.

Main problem: wet snow

Danger pattern: vn10 Spring situation

Risk assessment

Danger is small this morning, level 1, during the day it will increase to level 2 due to daytime warming. Lower down, where there is already little snow, it will be level 1 all day. On Saturday and Sunday, due to warm and windy weather, danger will also be level 2 at night. The snowpack will be relatively softened due to gradual thawing and partly clear weather during the day. Therefore, it will be less stable, from steep, still uncleared slopes mainly midday and afternoon individual wet snow avalanches, also ground ones, may release. There are still many cornices that can collapse in warm weather.

Snow conditions

On Wednesday it was mostly sunny and warm, on Thursday initially cloudy with precipitation. The snow line was high, mostly above 2000 m. 5 to about 15 cm of snow fell, depending on elevation and there was more precipitation in the Julian Alps area. The new snow bonded well with the base. In the afternoon with sunny weather it further settled and lower also melted. Today the freezing level is at about 2300 m. In the Julian Alps at 2500 m there is 210 to about 260 cm of snow, at 1500 m 50 to about 120 cm. Elsewhere in our mountains at 1500 m 0 to about 20 cm of snow, less towards the east. Significant snow cover in gullies starts at about 1400 m elevation, sometimes lower, on sun-exposed slopes even above 1900 m, lower in the Julian Alps, higher elsewhere in our mountains.

Forecast weather development

Today partly clear with variable cloudiness, southwest wind blowing. The freezing level will rise in the afternoon to about 2700 m. Tomorrow and Sunday sunny weather will prevail, strengthened southwest wind blowing. Freezing level at about 2800 m. Sunday evening and night to Monday expect some precipitation from the west and transitional slight cooling.

Trend of snow conditions

Today the new snow will melt lower down, in the high mountains it will settle. The snowpack will soften during the day everywhere except the highest peaks. Therefore, avalanche danger will increase midday to level 2. Lower where there is little snow, it will be level 1. On Saturday and Sunday the snow will remain softened even at night due to wind and warm air mass. From steep uncleared slopes individual wet snow avalanches, also ground ones, may release. Cornices will also collapse. Lower down snow will diminish, there avalanche danger will be small.



Source: ARSO