Snow conditions 16.2.2023

General danger level - Thursday, 16.2.2023
Danger is level 2 on the European five-level scale - MODERATE.
Main problem: weak layers, wet snow, gliding snow
Danger pattern: Spring situation

Risk assessment
Avalanche danger is currently LOW, level 1, but will increase during the day on sun-exposed slopes and above 1500 m will be MODERATE, level 2. With daytime thawing today and in the coming days, spontaneous release of wet snow avalanches and gliding avalanches is expected. Steep grassy slopes and gullies will be particularly dangerous. Especially on shadier sides, weak layers are present in the snowpack; with high load, smaller slab avalanches can be triggered. This applies especially in transition areas between thinner and thicker snow cover. Due to daytime melting and nighttime freezing, icy surfaces are increasing.

Snow conditions
Dry and relatively warm period continues in the mountains. Snow freezes everywhere at night due to dry air and softens during the day on sun-exposed slopes, melting in lower areas. Conditions in shaded areas remain largely unchanged. Snow is mostly covered with crust formed by wind or daytime thaw and nighttime freezing. On wind-exposed locations, snow is wind-packed to the hard base. Slabs and wind slabs still exist, well bonded to the base. During daytime thaw, individual wet snow avalanches and gliding avalanches have already released on sun-exposed slopes in the past two days.

Forecast weather development
Dry and warm period will continue in the mountains. Today mostly clear at first. In the afternoon slightly cloudy. Weak westerly wind blowing. Temperature at 1500 m around 6, at 2500 m around 1 °C. On Friday mostly partly cloudy, occasionally increased medium and high cloudiness. In the mid-mountains of the western and southern Julian Alps and in the foothills mostly cloudy and foggy in places. Weak westerly to northwesterly wind. Temperature at 1500 m around 6, at 2500 m around -1 °C. On Saturday weather similar, only low cloud reaching slightly higher. Westerly wind will strengthen. Especially on exposed locations occasionally strong. Temperature at 1500 m around 7, at 2500 m around 3 °C. On Sunday it appears that mid-mountains will be mostly cloudy and foggy, more clear skies in the northern highlands and high mountains. Especially in high mountains still windy. Slightly cooler.

Tendency of snow conditions
Spring situation expected in the coming days. Snowpack will transform slowly, faster on sun-exposed slopes where it will also melt. In shaded locations snow will remain dry or frozen. Avalanche danger will be low in the morning and early afternoon, but will increase midday and afternoon, especially on sun-exposed slopes above around 1500 m MODERATE, level 2.

Next bulletin: Friday, 17.2.2023

Source: ARSO