Snow conditions 22. 1. 2024

General danger level - Monday, 22 January 2024
Danger level is 2 on the European five-level scale - MODERATE.
Main problem: wind slab, wet snow
Danger pattern: Cooling after warm weather / warming after frost

Risk assessment
Avalanche danger is MODERATE, level 2. Snow is bonding and settling. Below 2000 m on pronounced sunny slopes, snow has melted during the day and then frozen at night, forming a crust that does not yet hold the weight of a skier or hiker. In the high mountains, snow remained dry, on the surface it is compacted in places due to wind. Today a strong westerly wind has started blowing, it will be windy until the end of the week. It will remain quite warm in the mountains for this time of year. Snow will melt on sunny slopes, especially in hills and mid-mountains wet snow avalanches can release mainly on steep grassy slopes.

Snow conditions
On Saturday it was cold and windy, some small wind slabs formed near ridges. On Sunday it warmed up, on sunny slopes below 2000 m a crust formed. Snow is bonding and settling. Loose unbonded snow remained mainly in the high mountains, in shady spots and in the shelter of forests. The snowpack has stabilised somewhat.

Forecast weather development
Tonight a weakened cold front will reach us. It will cool slightly, a strong northwesterly wind will blow. On Tuesday during the day it will be sunny, in the evening it will cloud over again. On Wednesday it will be mostly cloudy and windy, in the afternoon it will clear up and warm up again - warmer than today.

Trend in snow conditions
The snowpack will continue to stabilise except on sunny slopes, where it will be more unstable especially on Wednesday afternoon. There, wet snow avalanches can release mainly on steep grassy slopes. In the high mountains, areas of wind slab mainly near ridges continue to pose the main threat. Under greater load, a slab avalanche can release there.

Next issue: Thursday, 25 January 2024

Source: ARSO