Snow conditions 17.11.2020

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

Main problem: wind-blown snow, new snow



Risk assessment

The avalanche danger is currently MODERATE, level 2, in the high mountains. Wind-blown areas are particularly dangerous where there is enough snow for small slab avalanches. Steeper slopes are also more dangerous where snow fell on old snow cover and the new snowpack is still poorly bonded. On wind-exposed spots, the snow cover is icy and dangerous for slipping. Below about 2000 m, the snowpack thins quickly, so avalanche danger there is LOW, level 1. However, due to cooling, it is icy in many places.



Snow conditions

After a long dry period, yesterday (Monday) rain in the mountains turned to snow. In the high mountains above about 2000 m, 10 to 40 cm of snow fell on mostly bare ground. Initially relatively wet snow fell, later increasingly dry snow. Less snow fell this time in the western and southern Julian Alps. During snowfall, a moderate (strong on exposed spots) northerly wind blew. This redistributed the snowpack, which is now quite uneven, in places scoured to bare ground. South of ridges and saddles, the wind built slabs and dunes, these are the more dangerous areas where small slab avalanches can be triggered. Below 2000 m, mostly wetter snow fell, which later froze due to cooling and bonded relatively well to the ground. Below 1500 m, snow fell only in the eastern Karawanks, locally in the Kamnik-Savinja Alps, and on Pohorje.



Forecast weather development

Today (Tuesday) it has already cleared up. It will be mostly clear during the day with some variable cloudiness. A light to moderate northeasterly wind will blow. At 1500 m, temperature around 3, at 2500 m -2 °C. On Wednesday, mostly clear. Initially light wind from northerly directions, turning westerly in the afternoon. Noticeably warmer. Temperature at 1500 m around 7, at 2500 m around 4 °C. Also on Thursday clear in the mountains, low cloudiness persisting up to about 700 m for most of the day. Light variable wind. Slightly warmer. On Friday, a marked cooling will arrive, bringing only little precipitation. Moderate to strong northeasterly wind will blow. The zero isotherm will drop below 1500 m during the day. On Saturday, mostly sunny, cold and windy weather. On Sunday, it will warm up quickly. No major precipitation expected for some time.



Trend in snow conditions

The snowpack will transform faster on steep shady slopes on Wednesday and Thursday. Snow will also melt below 2000 m. We expect small wet snow avalanches possible especially on steeper grassy slopes, but wind-blown snow areas will remain more dangerous. Avalanche danger in the high mountains will remain MODERATE, level 2. On Friday, due to cooling, the snowpack will stabilize well, avalanche danger will DECREASE. Icy spots will increase in the high mountains, slipperiness danger will be HIGH. Due to the modest snowpack, we will temporarily stop updating the bulletin. We will resume publishing with a larger snowfall.



Next issue: Monday, 30.11.2020



Source: ARSO