Snow conditions 15.4.2019
15.04.2019
The danger is 2nd degree on the European five-level scale - MODERATE.
Main problem: weak layers, wind slab, wet snow
Danger pattern: Spring situation
Risk assessment
Avalanche danger in the high mountains of most of our mountains above about 1800 m above sea level is MODERATE, 2nd degree, lower down mostly LOW, 1st DEGREE. Particularly dangerous are steeper and sunny slopes above about 1800 m above sea level, where wet snow avalanches can release spontaneously. In the high mountains, a slab avalanche can still be triggered by small load. Lower down, the old snow cover is mostly settled and transformed and therefore stable.
Snow conditions
At the end of the week, it was foggy in the mountains, a light to moderate wind from eastern directions was blowing, occasionally light snow fell. Up to 10 cm of snow fell. The zero-degree isotherm was at around 1500 m above sea level. Fresh snow transformed relatively slowly due to cold weather. Wind-exposed spots are scoured, but mostly the wind did not form additional slabs and drifts. Locally it cleared partially today and the temperature also rose somewhat, so the new snow froze and began to transform.
Forecast weather development
Today the high mountains will often be in cloud cover, elsewhere partly clear with variable cloudiness. On Tuesday and Wednesday partly clear with variable cloudiness, especially the high mountains will be occasionally cloudy in the afternoon. Tomorrow cloudiness may appear in the western and eastern Julian Alps also in the morning. On Wednesday afternoon a small shower may form. Weak winds of variable directions will prevail. It will also warm up somewhat, zero-degree isotherm at around 2200 m above sea level.
Trend in snow conditions
The snow cover will freeze overnight, during the day especially on sunny aspects the snow will freeze and begin to transform faster and also melt. The crust will strengthen. Avalanche danger will mostly be LOW tomorrow morning, during the day it will INCREASE especially on sunny slopes in the high mountains and be MODERATE 2nd degree. The snow cover will stabilize slowly on Wednesday.
Next issue: Thursday, 18. 4. 2019
Source: ARSO