Snow conditions 18.12.2020

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

Main problem: wind slab, drifting snow



Risk assessment

Avalanche danger is currently above sea level 1800 m MODERATE, level 2, lower down LOW, level 1. Particularly dangerous are areas with wind-blown snow, which are most numerous on the northern and western sides of ridges and saddles, and steeper slopes. On these areas, with greater snowpack loading, you can trigger a slab avalanche. Especially on steep southern grassy slopes, cracks are appearing, and gliding avalanches are also forming.



Snow conditions

Due to thawing and the influence of the sun, the snowpack has begun to transform more quickly and is also melting especially on southern slopes. Last night, it cooled particularly in the high mountains, and a crust formed on many slopes. In the past days, due to warmer weather, wet snow avalanches occurred mainly on steeper sunny slopes and gullies. The snowpack is relatively compact and in the mid-mountains also quite transformed. During the day, snow softens and becomes heavier especially on southern slopes. Some dry and unprocessed snow is found in sheltered and completely shaded spots. Especially in the high mountains, there is still a lot of loose snow, wind-exposed areas are scoured to the hard base in places and icy. There is considerable risk of gliding.



Forecast weather development

Today, cloud cover will gradually recede, during the day it will be mostly clear in the high mountains, partly cloudy or foggy in the mid-mountains in places. A weak southwest wind will blow, lower down it may also be calm. Temperature at 1500 m will be around 2, at 2500 m -1 °C. On Saturday, it will be cloudy and foggy in most of our mountains, only the highest peaks may be above the clouds. Less cloudiness will be in the eastern Karawanks and on Pohorje or the top of the cloud layer will presumably be lower. A weak to moderate southwest wind will blow. Temperature at 1500 m around 1, at 2500 m -2 °C. Similar weather on Sunday, only the upper edge of cloudiness will be slightly lower. On Monday during the day, it will also become cloudy in the high mountains. On Tuesday, clouds will break up, it will become noticeably warmer.



Trend in snow conditions

The snowpack will gradually continue to stabilize, in the high mountains this process will be slower, so avalanche release danger there will remain MODERATE, level 2, mainly dangerous for slab avalanches. In the mid-mountains, due to cloudy weather, the snowpack will remain wet and will not freeze even at night. There, the snowpack will settle and melt faster, a smaller wet snow avalanche may also occur. In the high mountains, icy surfaces will increase. With the forecasted thawing, avalanche release danger will increase again on Tuesday.



Next issue: Monday, 21.12.2020



Source: ARSO