Snow conditions 20.4.2015

AVALANCHE RISK ASSESSMENT



Avalanche danger is above around 2000 m mostly level 2, lower down level 1.



The snowpack is generally stable, avalanches may occur mainly from new snow on the old, hard and partly crusted base. Risk is higher midday and in the afternoon as well as in the high mountains, lower down there is too little snow.



Risk is relatively low. From steep, sunny slopes only small avalanches or dumps of new snow may release spontaneously. You can trigger an avalanche on very rare steep slopes in the high mountains and especially with greater additional loading.



SNOW CONDITIONS



It snowed in the mountains on Saturday. 5 to 20 cm of snow fell, depending on elevation and also on geographical location. Most precipitation was in the area of central Slovenia. It snowed onto a crusted base, therefore the bond between old and new snow is poor. On Sunday, in cold and sunny weather, snow melted lower on sunny aspects, higher up it sintered and froze overnight. Temperatures in the mountains were below zero. By this morning, the 0°C isotherm had already risen to around 1700 m elevation.



In the Julian Alps at 2500 m elevation there is up to around 180 cm of snow, at 1500 m up to around 40 cm. Elsewhere in our mountains there is less snow, at 1500 m currently up to around 15 cm. Significant snow cover mostly extends to around 1500 m elevation.



CURRENT STATE OF THE SNOWPACK



The old snowpack is well transformed, on it there is 5 to around 15 cm of new snow, which on wind-exposed locations has been drifted into wind slabs. New snow is still loose in shady locations, but mostly already covered with a thin crust.



FORECAST WEATHER DEVELOPMENT



Today and tomorrow mostly clear. The 0°C isotherm will rise to around 2300 m elevation by the end of the day. Weak to moderate wind from northern directions will blow. Sunny weather will prevail until Friday as well, some patchy cloudiness especially Thursday afternoon and Friday. Thursday afternoon and the night to Friday possible short-lived local showers. The 0°C isotherm will be at around 2600 m elevation all days.



TENDENCY OF SNOW CONDITIONS



The snowpack will sinter during the day and freeze at night, new snow will transform quickly. Avalanche risk will temporarily increase during the day in the high mountains.







Next report will be published on Friday, 24.4.2015.



Source: ARSO