Snow conditions 18.1.2019

The danger is level 3 on the European 5-level scale - CONSIDERABLE.

Main problem: new snow, wind drifted snow

Danger pattern: Snowfall after a prolonged cold period

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



Risk assessment

Avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE, level 3, in the high mountains above about 1800 m, and MODERATE, level 2, lower down. It snowed on a hard and partly icy base, the new snow in the high mountains is dry, creating a weak layer beneath the new snow. Easterly winds are transporting snow into wind slabs. Lower down, the snow was more wet, bonding better to the base, and mostly it snowed on bare ground. A small avalanche can also release in the Škofjeloško hribovje on steep grassy slopes. The snowpack is primarily unstable in the high mountains, so mainly small and medium-sized avalanches of dry, poorly bonded snow can release from steep slopes.



Snow conditions

Up to this morning, 20 to 50 cm of snow has fallen in the mountains, the most in the Julian Alps. Snowing to lowlands. Wind shifting to east to northeast, forming wind slabs. On the hard base there is now light new snow, poorly bonded to the base.



Forecast weather development

Today during the day snowfall will cease. Then until Monday dry and cold weather. Weak to moderate wind mostly from easterly directions, on Saturday in high mountains also foehn wind. But the wind will not be particularly strong, so no major new wind slabs. Saturday mostly cloudy weather, cloud base high above summits, in mid-mountains up to elevation around 1800 m a lower cloud layer, so foggy in places. Sunday more sunshine, top of lingering low clouds mostly below 1000 m.



Trend of snow conditions

Snow will remain soft, settling only a little. No major new wind slabs expected at the end of the week. Avalanche danger will remain CONSIDERABLE, level 3, in high mountains where there was an old snowpack, elsewhere and at lower elevations MODERATE, level 2, and where there is little new snow LOW, level 1.



Next bulletin: Monday, 21.1.2019



Source: ARSO