Snow conditions 20.4.2022

General danger level - Wednesday, 20. 4. 2022
Danger is level 1 on the European 5-level scale - LOW.
Main problem: favourable conditions, fresh snow
Danger pattern: Spring situation

Risk assessment
The snowpack is generally stable and well bonded. Avalanche danger is LOW, level 1. In sunny weather during the day, snow softens somewhat on sun-exposed slopes. There is some possibility of triggering a small avalanche on steep slopes in the high mountains where there is still more snow. Wind slabs may also release.

Snow conditions
Yesterday and overnight, it mostly snowed in the mountains, with the snow line dropping below 1000 m. 5 to about 15 cm of snow fell. Wind blew the snow completely off exposed slopes, forming wind slabs. The old snowpack is frozen and hard, only in the mid-mountains where there is snow, it was somewhat crusted before the snowfall. There are many wind slabs, both on northern and southern sides of ridges and saddles. Where the wind has blown the snow away, it is icy and therefore dangerous for slipping.

Forecast weather development
Today it will be mostly clear at first, during the day cumulus clouds will form and some peaks and slopes will occasionally be in clouds. Initially a light northeasterly wind will blow, turning south to west during the day. The zero isotherm will be at about 1500 m above sea level. Tomorrow it will be mostly clear at first, clouds increasing during the day and in the afternoon some peaks may already be in clouds. A light wind from southern directions will blow. The zero isotherm will rise to about 2100 m above sea level. On Thursday night and Thursday there will be precipitation, the snow line will rise from initial 1400 to about 1700 m above sea level. An east to southeast wind will blow, transporting snow into wind slabs. In the high mountains, 20 to about 30 cm of snow may fall. On Saturday it will be variable cloudy with local minor showers, more cloudy and more frequent precipitation in the western Julian Alps and in the hills of northern Primorska and Notranjska. A southwesterly will blow. On Sunday it will be cloudy and foggy, somewhat less cloudy in the eastern Karawanks and on Pohorje. There it will be mostly dry, elsewhere there will be quite frequent precipitation, most abundant in the west. The snow line will initially be at about 1800 m, but will drop somewhat during the day. In the west, up to 40 cm of snow may fall in the high mountains, less at lower elevations and elsewhere in our mountains.

Trend in snow conditions
Today and tomorrow avalanche danger will remain LOW, level 1. Due to fairly sunny weather, sun and thus daily temperature cycle will affect the snowpack condition. On Friday, fresh snow will slightly increase the risk especially in the Julian Alps and western and central Karawanks, where avalanche danger in the high mountains will increase to MODERATE, level 2. Wind slabs will form, steep slopes and wind-packed snow will be dangerous, and on scoured spots there will be slip hazard. Danger will increase further on Sunday due to new precipitation, we expect it to be CONSIDERABLE, level 3 in the Julian Alps and western and central Karawanks! Elsewhere there will be less precipitation and no major changes. The next avalanche bulletin will be published on Friday, 22.4.2022.

Next issue: Friday, 22. 4. 2022

Source: ARSO