Snow conditions 19.4.2018

General danger level - Thursday, 19. 4. 2018

Danger is level 3 on the European five-level scale - CONSIDERABLE.

Main problem: wet snow

Danger pattern: Spring situation



Risk assessment

Avalanche danger is LOW in the morning and partly forenoon, level 1, from late forenoon to evening CONSIDERABLE, level 3. The snow cover refreezes overnight, softens during the day and becomes more unstable around midday. Steeper slopes, particularly sun-exposed ones, and areas with windpacked snow in the high mountains are dangerous. Individual wet snow avalanches can still release from steep grassy slopes.



Snow conditions

In sunny and warm weather, with the freezing level above our highest peaks, the snow cover is rapidly settling and melting. It refreezes at night and is hard and icy in places in the morning, softens and destabilises during the day. Weak layers still persist in the snowpack, so the upper snow layer can slide during peak daytime temperatures even in shaded spots.



Expected weather development

Until Sunday mostly clear and even warmer, on Sunday some patchy cloudiness and afternoon showers or thunderstorms not excluded near the Austrian border. Monday variably cloudy, isolated showers or thunderstorms developing in the afternoon.



Trend in snow conditions

The snow cover will melt and disappear at lower elevations, rapidly settle and transform higher up. Wet snow can slide from steep slopes. Greatest chance of snow slides is midday and afternoon. Avalanche danger will slowly decrease. In the morning and partly forenoon the snow cover will be fairly stable.



Next issue: Monday, 23. 4. 2018



Source: ARSO