Snow conditions 16.11.2016

General avalanche danger level - Wednesday, 16.11.2016

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

Main problem: weak layers, fresh snow

Danger pattern: vn4 Cooling after warm weather / warming after cold



Risk assessment

Today in the mountains it warmed up significantly. The snow line rose to around 2800 m above sea level. Therefore, the snow cover settled and transformed faster. Lower down, in the hills, some snow melted, and quite a bit settled. The risk of avalanches is mainly in the high mountains where there was already snow cover before, currently still MODERATE, level 2. Elsewhere, the danger is LOW.



Snow conditions

The snow cover is mostly covered with a thin crust, but in the gullies of the high mountains, the snow is soft. Significant snow cover extends to about 1000 m above sea level, on the south and east and in some places in Inner Carniola a bit lower. There are quite a few wind slabs, on wind-exposed locations the snow is almost completely blown away in places.



Forecast weather development

A strong temperature reversal has occurred. Tomorrow will be dry weather, southwest wind blowing. On Friday, in southern and western and central Slovenia there will be occasional rain, the snow line will rise to altitudes between 1500 and 2000 m. On Saturday it will rain, higher in the mountains it will snow. Towards the end of the precipitation, the snow line will lower slightly, but presumably not below 1000 m. On Sunday, dry or at least mostly dry weather.



Trend of snow conditions

Due to the warming, the snow cover has temporarily become somewhat unstable, but tomorrow it will be quite stable. On Friday, with precipitation below the snow line, the snow will get soaked to the ground, so individual wet snow avalanches may release from steep, grassy slopes. Higher up, the avalanche danger will gradually increase due to new snow, especially above about 2000 m, where the snow will be dry and the bond with the old snow cover weaker. The southwest wind will transport snow into wind slabs, mainly on the northern and eastern sides of ridges, new slabs will form.



General avalanche danger is level 2 on the European five-level scale.



Next issue: Monday, 21.11.2016



Source: ARSO