Snow conditions 18.3.2016

AVALANCHE RISK ASSESSMENT



Avalanche danger is degree 2.



The snowpack is only conditionally stable. In sunny weather, snow on sun-exposed slopes thaws and softens during the day, so slab avalanches are possible in the afternoon on steep, grassy slopes. Only on northern slopes in the high mountains is the snow still poorly transformed, so the surface layers are still poorly bonded to the lower ones. There is a lot of slab. An avalanche can be triggered by greater additional loading of the snowpack, especially on steep slopes and places with wind-deposited snow, greater likelihood also on sun-exposed slopes midday and in the afternoon. In the morning hours there is locally also a risk of gliding.





SNOW CONDITIONS and CURRENT SNOWPACK STATE



In the mountains there have been no significant precipitation in recent days. Already yesterday sunny weather prevailed, which accelerated the transformation of snow especially on sunny aspects. The snow line has only today risen more noticeably and is currently at an altitude of around 2000 m. Snow has sintered during the day and frozen at night. The crust has strengthened.



In the Julian Alps and western Karawanks at 2500 m there is 340 to about 430 cm of snow, at 1500 m 200 to about 310 cm, at 1000 m 10 to about 40 cm. Elsewhere in our mountains at 1500 m 70 to about 130 cm of snow, less towards the east. Significant snow cover starts at an altitude of around 800 m, higher on sun-exposed slopes.



The snowpack is mostly covered with crust, sometimes the snow is also hard. Only in sheltered north-facing spots especially in the high mountains it is still soft and dry. There are many drifts and slabs. On wind-exposed spots the snow is quite wind-packed. On sun-exposed slopes there are many cracks, which with daily warming increase the danger of ground avalanches on steeper slopes.





FORECAST WEATHER DEVELOPMENT



Today, Friday, clear with light wind. Snow line at altitude around 2000 m. Similar weather also tomorrow.



On Sunday occasional more cloudiness especially in the Julian Alps area. Still relatively warm. Until Monday morning it will become cloudy.





SNOW CONDITION TREND



The snowpack will settle and transform. Today and in the following days under the influence of sun and rapidly rising temperatures it will thaw during the day and be transitively more unstable on sun-exposed slopes (!), also in shaded spots it will gradually soften higher up. At night the surface of the snowpack will freeze, so the possibility of gliding will increase in the morning hours.



Despite settling and transformation of the snowpack, possibilities for triggering avalanches will be varied:

from spontaneous smaller avalanches - also ground - of wet snow during the day on southern steeper slopes

to slab avalanches of wind-deposited snow especially in high-mountain north aspects, which due to weak layers in the old snowpack can be triggered by ski tourers and hikers already with moderate loading. The possibility of gliding will be smaller in the morning and will increase during the day with daily warming.





Next report will be issued on MONDAY, 21.3.2016 in the morning.



Source: ARSO