Snow conditions 16.3.2020
16.03.2020
Danger is 2nd degree on the European five-level scale - MODERATE.
Main problem: wet snow
Danger pattern: Spring situation
Risk assessment
Avalanche danger is currently above sea level around 1500 m MODERATE, 2nd degree, lower down small, 1st degree. You can trigger a snow slab avalanche with greater loading of the snowpack especially on steeper slopes and at places with windpacked snow. With daytime warming and sunny weather, the possibility of sloughing increases midday and in the afternoon.
Snow conditions
In the high mountains there is plenty of snow, below around 1500 m it quickly becomes less. Snow conditions are quite varied. The snowpack was frozen at the end of the week, with thawing it now softens during the day, freezes at night. Only in shady high mountain locations does snow remain frozen or dry even during the day. There is a lot of windpacked snow and slabs. On sunny aspects snow is crusty and there is somewhat less of it than in shady locations, where in the high mountains it is still soft in places.
Forecast weather development
Today clear, temperatures mostly slightly above zero. Weak southwesterly wind. Tomorrow from midday and afternoon gradually clouding over, cloud base above summits by evening. Weak northerly to easterly wind. A bit warmer. Wednesday morning clearing, during the day shallow cumulus clouds forming. Weak northeasterly wind. Thursday and Friday continued warm and relatively sunny weather.
Trend in snow conditions
Snow will soften during the day and freeze at night. Due to warming and sunny weather, sloughing possibility will increase especially from mid-morning to late afternoon, at night and morning the snowpack will be more stable, crust will strengthen. Only in shady high mountain locations snow will remain poorly transformed and mostly dry. In the longer term the snowpack will slowly stabilize. Caution especially on steeper southern slopes during higher daytime temperatures.
Next issue: Thursday, 19. 3. 2020
Source: ARSO