2.01.2020
The danger is 2nd degree on the European five-level scale - MODERATE.
Main problem: drifted snow, wet snow
Danger pattern: Cooling after warm weather / warming after frost
Risk assessment
Avalanche danger is currently in the high mountains above about 1800 m MODERATE, 2nd degree, lower down mostly LOW, 1st degree. Steeper slopes with drifted snow are dangerous, where a slab avalanche can be triggered by greater load. During the day, especially on sunny and steep grassy slopes, the danger of wet snow avalanches increases. Below around 1800 m there is significantly less snow.
Snow conditions
The snow cover is especially on sun- and wind-exposed locations crusty and hard. Snow on summits and ridges is heavily drifted, often down to the icy base. The snow cover is frozen in the morning, but during the day softens on sunny locations. Above 2200 m and in more shaded areas there are still areas with poorly transformed snow. Mainly on southern slopes there are deposits and slabs.
Expected weather development
Today clear. A light southwesterly will blow, strengthening somewhat towards evening. At midday temperature at 1500 m around 6, at 2500 m around 1°C. Friday partly clear, occasionally increased high cirrus cloudiness. In the morning light to moderate northerly, in the afternoon light southwesterly. Still relatively warm. Saturday morning mostly clear, afternoon clouding over, but cloud base mostly above the highest peaks. Cooling will start. Moderate to strong northwesterly will blow. Sunday mostly sunny, windy and colder. At 1500 m around -4, at 2500 m -10 °C.
Trend of snow conditions
Due to warming the snow cover on sunny locations will settle and transform faster, especially on pronounced sunnysides snow will also melt. Snow will freeze at night. Icy surfaces will increase. In shaded locations snow conditions will remain largely unchanged. On pronounced sunny locations, especially on steep grassy slopes, midday the danger of wet snow avalanches will increase. Likewise in the high mountains you can still trigger a slab avalanche. The snow cover on Saturday and Sunday with cooling will somewhat stabilize. Due to wind, however, drifted snow areas can increase in the high mountains. Avalanche danger will thus above 1800 m remain MODERATE, 2nd degree.
Next publication: Monday, 6. 1. 2020
Source: ARSO