Snow conditions 20.2.2019

Danger is 2nd degree on the European five-level scale - MODERATE.

Main problem: wind-blown snow, wet snow

Danger pattern: Spring situation



Risk assessment

Avalanche danger in the mountains is mainly above sea level around 1500 m MODERATE, 2nd degree, but during the day due to the influence of sun and warming on sun-exposed slopes it INCREASES everywhere. Especially midday and afternoon, a slab avalanche can also release from steep, grassy slopes. In the high mountains there are still wind slabs, slabs and soft slabs. Particularly dangerous are places with wind-blown snow on shady and steeper slopes above the forest line, where you can trigger an avalanche with moderate loading of the snow cover. Most slabs are on the northern and eastern sides of ridges and saddles as well as southern sides, where the snow is more cohesive with the ground due to the sun's influence.



Snow conditions

Sunny and warmer weather has accelerated the settling and transformation of the snowpack mainly on sun-exposed slopes. Snow freezes at night, but during the day softens on sun-exposed and partly shaded locations. Snow in shady high mountain locations is still mostly soft, with crust present in places. On exposed locations, snow is wind-blown down to the hard base. Particularly in the mid-mountains and lower locations, the settling process has accelerated. In lower locations, snow is soft and wet during the day. Differences between sun-exposed and shaded slopes are increasing.



Forecast weather development

On Wednesday it will be mostly clear with some high cloudiness. Wind will be light. Warm, freezing level around 1900 m above sea level. On Thursday there will be somewhat more mainly denser high cloudiness, cloud bases high above the peaks. Still warm, light wind. On Friday cooling will begin from the east, the northerly wind will strengthen, becoming quite strong during the day and seriously hindering movement in the mountains.



Tendency of snow conditions

The snowpack will continue to transform rapidly today and tomorrow on sun-exposed slopes and also melt in the mid-mountains. Especially midday and afternoon, a slab avalanche can release from steep, mainly grassy slopes. At night snow will mostly freeze. The transformation process will be slower in the high mountains, especially in more shady locations. Avalanche danger will mostly be MODERATE, 2nd degree, but during the day it will INCREASE mainly on sun-exposed slopes. In the high mountains, places with wind-blown snow will remain dangerous, particularly in shady areas where the snow will transform only slowly. There is also a risk of slips in places, especially in the morning and early afternoon hours.



Next issue: Friday, 22.2.2019



Source: ARSO