Snow conditions 20. 1. 2025

General danger level - Monday, 20. 1. 2025
Danger level is 2 on the European five-level scale - MODERATE.
Main problem: wind slab, weak layers
Danger pattern: cooling after warm weather / warming after cold

Risk assessment
Avalanche danger above 1800 m is MODERATE, level 2, lower down LOW, level 1. The snowpack is generally stable. Older layers deeper down have mostly bonded well together. On some steeper spots with more wind-blown snow, it is possible to trigger a slab avalanche with increased load. Locally, an older weak layer deeper in the snowpack may collapse under heavy load - a medium-sized avalanche may also be triggered. Due to warming, a wet snow avalanche may release spontaneously on sun-exposed slopes during the day. Many slopes are icy, making them hazardous for slipping.

Snow conditions
At the end of the week, it was sunny and warmer in the mountains. The 0 °C isotherm rose above 2000 m elevation. Cold air persisted below about 1000 m elevation. Due to warmer weather, snow softened mainly on sun-exposed slopes during the day and refroze at night, strengthening the crust. In more shaded areas, the snowpack did not change as the air was dry. The snowpack is distinctly crusted and deeply refrozen in places, supporting the weight of a skier. The snow surface is quite scoured by wind, with wind-exposed spots scoured to the bare ground. Overnight, there was light snowfall mainly in the Julian Alps, with at most a few centimetres of snow.

Forecast weather development
Today, on Monday, it will be variably cloudy, with peaks occasionally in clouds. Light precipitation is possible mainly in the afternoon and evening. The snow line will be around 1500 m elevation, with light rain falling locally lower down, freezing. Weak to moderate southerly winds will blow in the high mountains. Temperature at 1500 m will be around 1 °C, at 2500 m around -5 °C. On Tuesday, it will initially be cloudy and foggy. Light precipitation will continue, with the snow line around 1400 m elevation. Up to 5 cm of snow may fall in the Julian Alps area. It will clear mainly in the high mountains during the day, remaining cloudy elsewhere. Weak variable winds will blow. Temperatures will remain similar. On Wednesday, low cloud from the Primorska region will spread inland. It will be clearer initially in the Eastern Julian Alps and Western Karawanks, elsewhere likely clouding over. Light precipitation in the Western and Southern Julian Alps in the afternoon. Snow line around 1300 m elevation. A southwesterly will start blowing and strengthen towards evening. On Thursday, cloudy and foggy weather with precipitation is forecast. Snow line between 1400 and 1800 m elevation. It may drop slightly in the evening. Precipitation amounts are still uncertain. Currently, 10 to 20 cm of snow may fall above 1800 m.

Trend in snow conditions
Snow and avalanche conditions will not change significantly in the coming days. Warming will be noticeable mainly in mid-mountains, where snow will soften. Wet snow avalanches may also occur. In the high mountains, the snowpack will remain refrozen, making it slippery. Avalanche danger will likely increase on Thursday due to new snow.

Next issue: Thursday, 23. 1. 2025

Source: ARSO