Snow conditions 20. 2. 2025

General danger level - Thursday, 20. 2. 2025
Danger is level 3 on the European five-level scale - CONSIDERABLE.
Main problem: wind-packed snow, weak layers, wet snow
Danger pattern: cooling after warm weather / warming after cold

Risk assessment
Avalanche danger above around 1700 m is CONSIDERABLE, level 3, lower down MODERATE, level 2. Slightly lower danger in the Kamnik-Savinja Alps. Steeper slopes with wind-blown snow are especially dangerous, found on southern and southeastern sides around ridges and summits. Particularly in the transition between thinner and thicker snow cover, even minor loading can trigger small to medium-sized slab avalanches. Deeper in the snowpack weak layers persist, which can fail under slightly greater loading, potentially producing larger avalanches. With warming, individual loose-wet snow avalanches will be possible today on sun-exposed slopes, mainly on steep grassy slopes. Slabs may also release. Wind-exposed terrain is scoured to hard, possibly icy base; slipping hazard is high there.

Snow conditions
In the past two days, snow and avalanche conditions have not changed significantly. Tuesday was still cold, but Wednesday warmed up especially in the high mountains. A crust formed on pronounced sun-exposed terrain. Today warming has reached the mid-elevations too, with temperatures up 15 °C since yesterday morning. On sun-exposed terrain, especially mid-elevations, the snowpack will become more watery and unstable. The snowpack is crusted in many places due to wind influence, with abundant slabs. Sheltered and shady areas still hold some loose snow. Most exposed terrain is scoured to hard, icy base.

Forecast weather evolution
Today, Thursday, clear skies. Moderate north to northwesterly winds continue in the high mountains, light elsewhere. Midday temperature at 1500 m from -3 to 1 °C, at 2500 m around -4 °C. Tomorrow, Friday, partly clear with occasional increased high cloudiness. Light winds of variable direction. Even warmer. Midday temperature at 1500 m around 4 °C, at 2500 m around -1 °C. Saturday also partly clear with variable cloudiness. Cloudiness over the Alps mostly above summits. Light to moderate westerly to southwesterly winds. Temperature at 1500 m and 2500 m around 3 °C.

Trend in snow conditions
With warming, the danger of avalanche release will increase especially during the day on sun-exposed slopes. Loose snow avalanches and slab avalanches may release spontaneously. Over the longer term, snowpack stability will increase. Shadier areas will see little change.

Next bulletin: Friday, 21. 2. 2025

Source: ARSO