Snow conditions 15.5.2019

The danger is level 2 on the European five-level scale - MODERATE.

Main problem: weak layers, wind slab, new snow, wet snow

Danger pattern: Cooling after warm weather / warming after cold

Danger pattern: Cold weather, fresh unbonded snow with wind

Danger pattern: Spring situation



Risk assessment

The avalanche danger in the high mountains above about 1800 m is MODERATE, level 2, lower down mostly LOW, level 1. Steep slopes and places with wind slab are particularly dangerous, where under greater load on the snow cover you can trigger mainly slab avalanches. In the high mountains, from steep slopes it is still possible to trigger a smaller or medium-sized avalanche of new unbonded snow or a slab. It also snowed below 1500 m, but the snow fell on mostly bare ground.



Snow conditions

In the high mountains and mid-mountains, another 5 to 20 cm of snow fell by midday. The snow remains soft and light, especially on the western and southern sides of ridges and saddles there are many wind slabs. Wind-exposed places are heavily scoured. The snow line dropped to the alpine valleys this morning, but below 1000 m there is mostly only about 5 cm of snow.



Forecast weather development

Today it will be cloudy and foggy, with light to moderate snow continuing. Precipitation will weaken in the evening. The snow line will be around 800 m in the morning, rising to about 1300 m in the afternoon. Another 5 to 10 cm of snow may fall, more of it in the eastern part of our mountains. A moderate northeast wind will blow. It will be cold. Tomorrow it will still be mostly cloudy and often foggy. Especially around midday and in the afternoon, local showers will occur. It will warm up, the snow line will be at about 1800 m. The wind will weaken. On Friday it will be initially quite clear, during the day variably cloudy, with occasional small showers possible here and there. The freezing level will rise to about 2400 m. On Saturday it will be cloudier and foggy again, with frequent precipitation in the afternoon. The snow line will be above 2200 m. The wind will strengthen somewhat.



Tendency of snow conditions

The new snow will settle slowly today. With the warming, it will start to transform faster tomorrow and especially on Friday, and also melt in the mid-mountains. Above about 2200 m, the transformation will be slower. During the day, due to thawing, especially on steep slopes, smaller to medium-large avalanches of new and wind slab snow can release. The avalanche danger in the high mountains will remain MODERATE, level 2, for some time.



Next issue: Saturday, 18. 5. 2019



Source: ARSO