Snow conditions 21.4.2020

Danger level is 2 on the European 5-level scale - MODERATE.

Main problem: wet snow, favourable conditions

Danger pattern: Spring situation



Risk assessment

Avalanche danger is today mostly LOW, 1st degree. The snowpack is mostly stable, in the afternoon the snow will crust and soften due to clearing skies. The danger of triggering wet snow avalanches will slightly increase.



Snow conditions

Until Sunday, the snowpack especially on sun-exposed slopes transformed and melted faster. In the morning it was mostly refrozen and icy in places, during the day it softened. This process was slower in more shaded locations. Yesterday due to cloudy weather snow conditions did not change much during the day, above around 1900 m the snow will be refrozen. Today in the afternoon with clearing the snowpack will especially on sun-exposed aspects crust.



Forecast weather development

Today in the morning moderately to mostly cloudy, in the afternoon partly clearing. Moderate wind from eastern directions. Temperature at 1500 m around 3, at 2500 m around 0 °C. Tomorrow mostly clear, light to moderate easterly wind. Temperature at 1500 m around 5, at 2500 m around 0 °C. Also on Thursday and Friday sunny weather will prevail. Gradually slightly warmer.



Trend of snow conditions

Today in the mountains again spring situation, snow will remain refrozen in the morning, in the afternoon on sun-exposed locations it will crust and soften. Only above around 2000 m this process will be less pronounced due to lower temperatures. Also in shaded high-mountain locations snow will remain mostly refrozen and hard during the day. Therefore on sun-exposed slopes during the day the possibility of triggering a wet snow avalanche with greater load on the snowpack will increase. No spontaneous release expected. Also in the following days conditions will remain similar, only the snowpack will crust faster due to sunny weather.



Next bulletin: Friday, 24. 4. 2020



Source: ARSO