Snow conditions 15. 1. 2024

General danger level - Monday, 15 January 2024
Danger level 2 on the European 5-level scale - MODERATE.
Main problem: wind slab, wet snow, new snow
Danger pattern: Cold weather, fresh snow poorly bonded by wind
Danger pattern: Cooling after warm weather / warming after cold

Risk assessment
Avalanche danger in high mountains, above about 1800 m a.s.l., MODERATE, level 2, lower down LOW, level 1. Wind-drifted snow spots on west and south aspects, especially around ridges, saddles and gullies are dangerous. You may trigger slab avalanches at individual spots with large additional load. Weak layers also present deeper in the snowpack, danger hard to recognise without snowpack stability tests. Risk of gliding especially on exposed slopes.

Snow conditions
Last week mostly dry, cold and windy. In high mountains the snowpack hardly transformed but settled slowly. Surface hoar formed in places due to frost and moisture. Wind influence has reshaped the snow surface with many drifts. Marked snow depth increase above about 1600 m a.s.l., where depth increases rapidly. In mid-mountains crust possible on sun-exposed slopes.

Forecast weather development
Today, Monday, mostly cloudy and foggy, only highest peaks above low-level cloud. Mostly light to moderate westerly winds. Temperature at 1500 m about -3 °C, at 2500 m about -5 °C. Tomorrow, Tuesday, partly clear with occasional increased high cirrus cloud. Initially light to moderate winds, strong north-westerly in high mountains turning westerly during the day. Cooling, temperature at 1500 m about -5 °C, at 2500 m about -10 °C. Overnight to Wednesday clouding over, mostly foggy in mountains. Moderate to strong south-westerly wind. Occasional snow in morning and forenoon. During the day snow line rises to 1600-2000 m. Up to about 30 cm new snow possible in high mountains. Temperature at 1500 m midday about 3 °C, at 2500 m about -2 °C. Thursday continuing cloudy and foggy. Precipitation continues, snow line slightly lower. South-westerly wind.

Tendency of snow conditions
Snow and avalanche conditions unchanged on Tuesday. On Wednesday and Thursday avalanche danger increases due to thaw at lower elevations, new snow in high mountains.

Next bulletin: Thursday, 18 January 2024

Source: ARSO