Snow conditions 20.1.2023

General danger level - Friday, 20.1.2023
Danger is 3rd degree on the European 5-level scale - CONSIDERABLE.
Main problem: wind slab, weak layers
Danger pattern: Cold weather, fresh snow not bonded with wind

Risk assessment
Avalanche danger above about 1600 m is CONSIDERABLE, 3rd degree, lower MODERATE, 2nd degree. Moderate danger (2nd degree) also in the Idrija-Cerklje, Škofja Loka, Polhov Gradec and higher parts of the Zasavje Hills area. There, steep grassy slopes are particularly dangerous. In the mountains, slopes above the forest line are especially dangerous, where the wind transports snow and builds new snow deposits. Even under small load you can trigger a slab avalanche. In the old snowpack, now hidden under a thick blanket of new snow, weak layers are present especially on shady slopes, which can give way at individual spots under additional load. This can happen especially where there is less new snow due to wind influence. Below about 1600 m, steep grassy slopes are mainly dangerous. Snow and avalanche conditions are very demanding, the danger is hard to recognize. When choosing a slope, one must act very cautiously.

Snow conditions
The snowpack is mostly loose due to cold weather and sinks deeply. Below about 1100 m the snow has settled somewhat walkable, on it a layer of drier snow. There are many drifts and slabs, new ones are forming en route. The snow cover reaches the valleys.

Forecast weather development
On Saturday mostly cloudy and especially in the high Karawanks and Kamnik-Savinja Alps also foggy. In eastern mountain groups occasional light snowfall possible, but amounts will be negligibly small. Very strong northerly wind will blow, gusts will probably exceed 100 km/h. Cold. Temperature at 1500 m around -8, at 2500 m around -15 °C. On Sunday mostly cloudy and partly foggy, occasional light snowfall possible. Northerly wind will weaken considerably. Temperature similar to Saturday. On Monday snow will start again from the south, northeasterly wind will strengthen. In the heights it will warm slightly, but temperature will remain below zero everywhere.

Tendency of snow conditions
Today, Friday afternoon, the northerly wind will already be strong enough to transport snow in many places. On Saturday conditions will change rapidly. Northerly wind will transport large amounts of loose snow and deposit it on south slopes in numerous places. The number of dangerous spots with wind slab will increase markedly! Wind will transport snow also in the prealpine and Dinaric hills. Snow and weather conditions will be due to cold, wind, poor visibility and avalanche danger VERY DEMANDING. On Sunday avalanche conditions will not change much, only weather conditions will be somewhat friendlier due to weaker wind. But only temporarily, as on Monday the wind will strengthen again and snowing will start again. New snow will be dry and light, northeasterly wind will form new drifts and slabs.

Next issue: Monday, 23.1.2023

Source: ARSO