Snow conditions 17.2.2020

Danger is level 1 on the European 5-level scale - LOW.

Main problem: wind slab, favourable conditions

Danger pattern: Spring situation

Danger pattern: Cooling after warm weather / warming after cold



Risk assessment

Avalanche danger is mostly LOW, level 1. Especially on southern slopes, exceptionally under heavy load you may trigger small slab avalanches. The possibility is greater midday and in the afternoon. Many slopes are icy, therefore there is a high RISK OF SLIDES.



Snow conditions

The snowpack is mostly hard, partly icy, only in sheltered high mountain locations there is some soft snow. Wind slab is present on all aspects, but there is not much of it. On shady slopes, the snowpack softens and becomes penetrable during the day.



Forecast weather development

Today in the eastern Karawanks and on Pohorje and above about 2000 m a.s.l. it will still be partly clear. Elsewhere it will cloud over, lower summits and slopes will be in clouds. In the belt between the western Julian Alps and Snežnik there will be occasional light rain or drizzle. Moderate to strong westerly winds will blow. Temperature at 1500 m will be around 3, at 2500 m around 6 °C. 0 °C will be at about 3800 m! On Tuesday morning there will be some clear skies only locally in the high mountains, in the forenoon it will cloud over everywhere, also foggy. On Pohorje and in the eastern Karawanks it will be mostly dry, elsewhere there will be occasional light snow, below about 1200 m light rain. On Pohorje weak to moderate northwesterly wind, in the afternoon northeasterly, elsewhere weak, locally occasionally moderate wind from northeast to southeast directions. Temperature at 1500 m around 0, at 2500 m -6 °C. Also on Wednesday it will mostly remain cloudy and foggy. In the midday and afternoon snow showers will start to appear. In the evening the clouds will start to break. For most of the day weak to moderate southeasterly wind, towards evening moderate northerly wind. Slightly colder. At 1500 m around -2, at 2500 m around -8 °C.



Trend in snow conditions

Avalanche conditions will not change much. Today the snowpack will crust further and especially in the high mountains it may become somewhat unstable. On Tuesday the snowpack will refreeze. There will still be a high RISK OF SLIDES. On Tuesday and Wednesday there will be minor precipitation, expected snowfall around 5 cm. With a larger amount, avalanche danger will increase slightly. During precipitation weak winds will blow, stronger northerly wind will start on Wednesday evening. The wind will again blow snow to the hard base on exposed places, on the southern side of ridges and saddles small snow deposits will form.



Next issue: Wednesday, 19. 2. 2020



Source: ARSO