Snow conditions 18.2.2019

The danger is level 2 on the European 5-level scale - MODERATE.

Main problem: wind slab, wet snow

Danger pattern: Spring situation



Risk assessment

Avalanche danger in the mountains is mainly above approx. 1500 m altitude MODERATE, level 2, but during the day due to sun and warming it INCREASES everywhere on sunny slopes. Especially at midday and in the afternoon, full-depth avalanches can release from steep grassy slopes. In high mountains wind drifts, slabs and crusts are still present. Especially dangerous are spots with wind-blown snow on shady and steeper slopes above treeline, where avalanche can be triggered by moderate snowpack loading. Most slabs are on north and east sides of ridges and passes as well as south sides, where snow due to warmer weather has already begun bonding to the ground earlier.



Snow conditions

Sunny and warmer weather has accelerated settling and transformation of the snow cover mainly on sunny slopes. Snow refreezes at night, softens during the day on sunny and partly shady aspects. In shady high-alpine areas snow is still mostly soft, crust present in places. On exposed aspects snow is scoured to firm base. Particularly in mid-mountain and lower elevations sintering has accelerated. In lower areas snow is soft and wet during the day. Differences between sunny and shady aspects are increasing.



Weather outlook

Monday and Tuesday mostly clear, on southern foothills of Julian Alps and in Notranjska hills clouds building from Tuesday on. Wednesday more high cloud elsewhere. Mostly light westerly winds, temporarily strengthening Tuesday. Temperature at 1500 m Monday around 8, at 2500 m around 5, Tuesday and Wednesday gradually cooler, at 1500 m to around 4, at 2500 m to around -1 °C. Air mass mostly still quite dry.



Trend snow conditions

Snow cover transforming rapidly on sunny aspects and melting in mid-elevations. Especially midday and afternoon full-depth avalanches possible from steep mainly grassy slopes. At night snow mostly refreezes. Transformation slower in high mountains, esp. shadier areas where conditions remain largely unchanged. Avalanche danger mostly MODERATE level 2, but during day esp. on sunny slopes INCREASES. In high mountains wind slab spots remain dangerous esp. in shade where transformation is slow.



Next bulletin: Thursday, 21. 2. 2019



Source: ARSO