Snow conditions 17.11.2017

General avalanche danger level - Friday, 17.11.2017

The danger is level 2 on the European five-level scale - MODERATE.

Main problem: wind-drifted snow

Danger pattern: Cold weather, fresh poorly bonded snow with wind



Risk assessment

Avalanche danger above sea level around 1500 m is MODERATE, level 2, lower down LOW, level 1. Especially steeper slopes with DRIFTED SNOW, where under snowpack loading you can trigger a slab avalanche. Steep grassy slopes that were bare before snowfall are also dangerous. Spontaneous avalanching is unlikely.



Snow conditions

On Wednesday and Thursday it was mostly cloudy in the mountains, no strong wind. The zero isotherm was on Wednesday around 900 m above sea level, on Thursday temporarily above 2000 m. By this morning it has settled again to around 1300 m above sea level. The snowpack has only settled slowly and transformed poorly. Snow is mostly soft and light in the high mountains, lower down it hardened yesterday and froze today due to cooling, especially on wind-exposed sites there is a thin crust on the surface. There are many drifts, ridges and summits are heavily scoured, sometimes to bare ground. The snowpack starts at quite varying altitudes above sea level.



Forecast weather development

Today it will be cloudy and foggy, with occasional snow flurries in places. Tomorrow mostly clear, on Sunday variable cloud with some afternoon snow showers. Northerly wind will strengthen. Temperature conditions will not change significantly.



Trend in snow conditions

Due to cold weather, the snowpack will continue to settle and transform only slowly. Even on Saturday, with otherwise sunny weather, the sun will not have much influence on snow transformation. On Sunday, wind will continue to transport snow on exposed sites especially in high mountains. Avalanche danger in the high mountains will mostly remain MODERATE, level 2.



Next issue: Monday, 20.11.2017



Source: ARSO