Snow conditions 18.1.2021
18.01.2021
The danger is 3rd degree on the European five-level scale - CONSIDERABLE.
Main problem: wind slab, weak layers
Risk assessment
Avalanche danger above sea level around 1500 m is CONSIDERABLE, 3rd degree, lower down MODERATE, 2nd degree. In the eastern part of our mountains, where there is less snow, the boundary between 2nd and 3rd degree is somewhat higher. Especially dangerous are shady and steep slopes and places with wind-blown snow and gullies where snow has accumulated. There you can trigger a slab avalanche even with a small load. Spontaneous release is less likely.
Snow conditions
In cold but occasionally quite sunny weather, the snowpack on sun-exposed mid-mountain slopes has softened on the surface during the day and refrozen at night, strengthening the crust. Crust has also formed in the high mountains due to wind. Soft snow is mainly in sheltered high mountain locations, especially shady ones. The snow has settled somewhat more.
Forecast weather development
Today and tomorrow partly clear with occasional increased cloudiness. Weak to moderate northwesterly wind, tomorrow moderate westerly. The zero-degree isotherm will be this afternoon around 1000 m above sea level, tomorrow it will gradually rise above 1300 m. On Wednesday there will still be some sunny weather in the eastern part of our mountains. Elsewhere it will be cloudy and foggy in places. Mainly in the Julian Alps and foothills there will be occasional light precipitation, the snow line will gradually rise to around 800 m above sea level. Strong southwesterly wind. On Thursday cloudy and foggy with occasional minor precipitation, dry in the eastern part of the Kamnik-Savinja Alps and eastern Karawanks. Snow line between 900 and 1200 m above sea level. Strong southwesterly wind.
Trend in snow conditions
With gradual warming, the snowpack will begin to settle and transform faster mainly in the mid-mountains, up to about 1400 m above sea level. Until mid-week avalanche conditions will not change much, on Thursday and Friday the snowpack will become less stable mainly in the mid-mountains.
Next issue: Thursday, 21.1.2021
Source: ARSO