Snow conditions 15. 2. 2024

General avalanche danger level - Thursday, 15. 2. 2024
The danger is level 3 on the European 5-level scale - CONSIDERABLE.
Main problem: wet snow, wind slab
Danger pattern: Cooling after warm weather / warming after cold

Risk assessment
Avalanche danger is MODERATE, level 2, in most of our mountains above about 1800 m elevation, lower down LOW, level 1, but during the day it will increase due to warming especially on sun-exposed slopes and will be CONSIDERABLE, level 3, above about 1800 m, lower down MODERATE, level 2. On steeper slopes in the high mountains, wet snow avalanches can release spontaneously. Wind slab areas are also dangerous, especially around ridges and summits, where slab avalanches can be triggered by moderate loading.

Snow conditions
In recent days, especially in the high mountains, a moderate, occasionally strong northerly wind has blown, which has transported snow in places and formed new small snow deposits. Since Tuesday, it has warmed up significantly. The zero isotherm is currently at about 2300 m elevation. During the day, the snowpack has softened somewhat especially on sun-exposed slopes, freezing at night, forming a crust. The snowpack is uneven and changes rapidly with elevation. Below about 1500 m there is little snow, in the high mountains however typical snow conditions for this time of year. At the end of the week, due to thaw and larger amounts of southerly snow, numerous avalanches have released especially in the high mountains.

Forecast weather development
Today, Thursday, moderately to mostly cloudy, but with cloud cover above our highest peaks. Somewhat longer sunny periods mainly midday and afternoon. Weak southwesterly wind blowing, northwesterly in the high mountains. Temperature at 1500 m around 6, at 2500 m around 0 °C. On Friday, cloud cover somewhat less. Occasionally increased medium and high cloudiness. Mostly calm, or weak local winds. A bit warmer. Zero isotherm at about 3000 m elevation. On Saturday and Sunday mostly cloudy and especially on Sunday probably quite foggy. Possible light precipitation. Gradually somewhat cooler. Zero isotherm will drop on Sunday to about 2000 m elevation.

Trend in snow conditions
In the coming days, individual wet snow avalanches still expected on sun-exposed slopes. Especially steep slopes best avoided midday and afternoon. Overall, however, the snowpack will slowly stabilize. Avalanche danger will be MODERATE, level 2, above about 1800 m, lower down LOW, level 1.

Next issue: Friday, 16. 2. 2024

Source: ARSO