Snow conditions 23.10.2020

Danger is 1st degree on the European five-level scale - LOW.

Main problem: wind-blown snow, new snow



Risk assessment

Avalanche danger is currently LOW, 1st degree. The snow cover is mostly stable, only in places with wind-blown snow in the high mountains can a small avalanche still be triggered with greater loading or wet snow can slide under human weight.



Snow conditions

The snow cover has settled considerably over the week, in the mid-mountains snow has thinned in many places. In the high mountains, snow froze at night, during the day it softened especially in sunny spots. A crust strengthened. On the night to Friday, however, snow remained mostly wet even in the high mountains. Thicker snow cover is mainly on plateaus and less steep slopes of the high mountains, and in shadier spots also in some mid-mountains. There was some creeping mainly on steep grassy slopes and in gullies.



Forecast weather development

Friday will be moderately, occasionally mostly cloudy. More clouds in the western part of our mountains, where it will also become foggy. In the western and southern Julian Alps, occasional dew or light rain possible. Strengthened southwesterly wind will blow, strengthening further during the day and quite strong in the high mountains. Freezing level high above summits. Saturday cloudy and often foggy. Occasional precipitation, partly showers. Snow line around 2200 m a.s.l. Weak wind mostly westerly directions. Freezing level will drop in the afternoon to around 2600 m a.s.l. By Sunday morning precipitation will cease, clearing during the day. Freezing level around 2500 to 2600 m a.s.l., in the afternoon zero isotherm rising again. Weak variable wind. Monday in Julian Alps and hills of northern Primorska and Notranjska mostly cloudy and partly foggy, elsewhere more sun. Small precipitation possible westwards. Southwesterly wind. Slightly cooler.



Trend of snow conditions

Friday snow will thin in lower parts of high mountains and mid-mountains. Higher it will settle and transform, mostly wet and soft. Saturday below snow line snow thins, higher mostly wet snow falling, which will likely bond well with base. New snow due to high snow line will slightly increase avalanche danger mainly in high Julian Alps, less so eastward. Strong southwesterly will form wind slabs on northern and eastern sides of ridges and saddles. Sunday new snow will settle somewhat, sun aiding favorably. Night to Monday snow may freeze, also lower where some remains after rain, so especially there possibly icy Monday morning.



Next issue: Monday, 26.10.2020



Source: ARSO