Snow conditions 19.4.2019

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

Main problem: weak layers, wind-packed snow, wet snow

Danger pattern: Spring situation



Risk assessment

Avalanche danger in the high mountains of most of our mountains above sea level around 1800 m is MODERATE, 2nd level, lower down mostly LOW, 1st level. Steeper and mainly sunny slopes above around 1800 m above sea level are dangerous, where individual smaller wet snow avalanches can release in the middle of the day and in the afternoon, even spontaneously. In the high mountains, a slab avalanche can still be triggered under greater stress. Lower down, the old snowpack is mostly compacted and transformed and therefore stable. The danger increases in the middle of the day and in the afternoon on sun-exposed terrain due to the influence of the sun.



Snow conditions

In sunny weather, the snow softens during the day and refreezes at night. A crust is forming, which is still absent in the shady areas of the high mountains. There the snow is mostly soft and dry. Wind-exposed areas are scoured, most slabs are on the western and southern sides of ridges and saddles. During the day, snow on sunny slopes is softened and wet.



Forecast weather development

Until Monday, mostly clear weather, only today in the middle of the day and afternoon there will be quite a bit of shallow cumulus cloudiness, so some summits may occasionally be in clouds. The wind will be light and variable in direction these days, but on Sunday a southwesterly wind will start blowing, which will strengthen somewhat on Monday. On Tuesday, changeable to mostly cloudy and locally foggy. Occasional precipitation, partly showers. The snow line will drop to around 1500 m above sea level.



Trend in snow conditions

The snowpack will refreeze at night, but during the day, especially on sunny terrain, the snow will soften and begin to transform and melt faster. The crust will strengthen. Avalanche danger will be mostly LOW in the morning and partly in the forenoon, but during the day, especially on sunny terrain in the high mountains, it will INCREASE and be MODERATE 2nd level. On Tuesday, some new snow will fall, which is expected to bond well with the base. The south and southwesterly wind will transport it into wind slabs. Initially, the snowpack will be mostly stable, but in the afternoon, especially in the western part of our mountains, where slightly more precipitation is expected, the danger will increase slightly.



Next issue: Tuesday, 23.4.2019



Source: ARSO