Snow conditions 19.1.2022

General avalanche danger level - Wednesday, 19.1.2022
The danger is level 2 on the European 5-level scale - MODERATE.
Main problem: wind slab
Danger pattern: Cooling after warm weather / warming after cold

Risk assessment
The avalanche danger is mostly LOW, level 1, only on northern slopes above about 2000 m it is MODERATE, level 2. Particularly at wind-scoured spots, there is a high GLIDE DANGER. The snowpack is mostly stable. Especially on steep, shady high mountain slopes, there are unconsolidated or poorly consolidated slabs where, under increased load on the snowpack, you can trigger a slab avalanche.

Snow conditions
Dry and sunny weather continues. On Monday, a strong northwesterly wind was still blowing, carrying snow at the most exposed spots in the high mountains. Snow is mainly well settled on sun-exposed slopes, as the snowpack has softened somewhat during the day in recent days and frozen at night. Icy areas have increased slightly. In the shade, the snow has remained hard or dry. Wind-exposed spots are heavily scoured, even to bare ground. More pronounced slabs remain mainly in shady spots; on southern slopes, the snow has already bonded better to the ground.

Forecast weather development
Today in the mountains it will still be mostly clear, low clouds will increase mainly in the pre-alpine area of western Slovenia and reach up to the southern slopes of the Bohinj ridge. Westerly to southwesterly wind will strengthen. Temperature at 1500 m will be from -1 to 2, at 2500 m around -2 °C. On Thursday, it will initially be cloudy and foggy in places, with light snow passing over the Snežnik area. It will clear during the day. Northwesterly wind will strengthen, becoming strong in the high mountains in the evening. It will cool down. At 1500 m midday around -2, at 2500 m around -9 °C. On Friday partly clear, occasionally increased variable cumulus cloudiness, more over the Kamnik-Savinja Alps, eastern Karawanks and Pohorje. Individual snow showers will form. Weak to moderate wind blowing, occasionally strong northerly in high mountains. Cold. At 1500 m midday around -8, at 2500 m around -16 °C.

Trend in snow conditions
Due to cold weather, snow conditions will remain unchanged, only today during the day the top layer of snow will soften somewhat more on pronounced sun-exposed mid-mountain slopes. Due to significant cooling, icy surfaces will increase, hence high glide danger. In high mountains, strong northerly wind will occasionally carry snow at exposed spots. The snowpack will mostly be stable, only in shady high mountain spots potentially unstable slabs. Next avalanche bulletin on Friday, 21.1.2022.

Next issue: Friday, 21.1.2022

Source: ARSO