Snow conditions 19.3.2020

Danger is level 2 on the European 5-level scale - MODERATE.

Main problem: wet snow, favourable conditions

Danger pattern: Spring situation

Danger pattern: Cooling after warm weather / warming after frost



Risk assessment

Avalanche danger is currently above about 1700 m altitude MODERATE, level 2, lower down low, level 1. You can trigger a snow slab avalanche with greater loading of the snowpack especially on steeper slopes and at places with wind-blown snow. With daytime warming and sunny weather, the possibility of slab avalanches increases midday and in the afternoon.



Snow conditions

There is plenty of snow in the high mountains, below around 1500 m quickly less. Snow conditions are quite varied. The snowpack is frozen and crusted at night and in the morning, during the day it ripens and softens on sun-exposed aspects. Only in shady areas of the high mountains is the snow poorly transformed and mostly remains dry or frozen even during the day.



Forecast weather development

Today clear, temperatures everywhere above zero. Weak southwesterly wind. Tomorrow mostly clear, but clouds will slowly start gathering on slopes of mid-mountain areas of western and southern Julian Alps. Mostly weak southwesterly wind. Freezing level at around 2600 m altitude. On Saturday variable cloudiness. Especially midday, afternoon and in the night to Sunday local precipitation, partly showers, will occur. The amount will not be large. It will slowly cool, more markedly only in the night to Sunday. On Sunday initially cloudy, clearing during the day. Moderate to strong winds from northern directions. Also on Monday and Tuesday cold weather will continue in the mountains.



Tendency of snow conditions

Snow will ripen today and tomorrow and partly also on Saturday during the day and freeze at night. Due to warming and sunny weather, the possibility of slab avalanches will increase especially from mid-morning to late afternoon, at night and in the morning the snowpack will be more stable, the crust will strengthen. Only in shady areas of the high mountains will snow remain poorly transformed and mostly dry. Caution applies especially on steeper southern slopes during periods of higher daytime temperatures. From Sunday onwards the snowpack will be fairly stable due to low temperatures. The danger of windslabs on wind- and sun-exposed aspects will increase.



Next issue: Sunday, 22.3.2020



Source: ARSO