Snow conditions 23.1.2023

General danger level - Monday, 23. 1. 2023
The danger is level 4 on the European five-level scale - HIGH.
Main problem: drifted snow, new snow, weak layers
Danger pattern: Cold weather, unbonded fresh snow with wind

Risk assessment
Avalanche danger is HIGH, level 4, in most of our mountains above about 1500 m altitude, lower MODERATE, level 3, slightly less danger also in the western and southern Julian Alps. Mostly moderate danger (level 2) in the Idrija-Cerkno, Škofja Loka, Polhov Gradec, and Zasavje hills area. There, steep grassy slopes are especially dangerous. In the mountains, slopes above the forest line are particularly dangerous, where wind transports snow and builds new snow deposits. Even under small load you can trigger a slab avalanche, avalanches release spontaneously on steep slopes as well. In the old snowpack, now hidden under a thick blanket of new snow, weak layers are present especially on shady slopes, which can fail at individual spots under additional load. This can happen especially where there is less new snow due to wind influence. Below about 1500 m altitude, steep grassy slopes are mainly dangerous. Snow and avalanche conditions are very demanding.

Snow conditions
The snow cover is soft and powdery, on more wind-exposed sites it is quite wind-packed. There are many slabs, cornices are forming. Ridges are completely scoured in places.

Forecast weather development
Today, on Monday, in the afternoon precipitation will weaken from the southwest, on the northeast it will still be quite intense until evening. In the lowlands it will snow in places with more intense precipitation, elsewhere it will rain. Wind will gradually weaken. On Tuesday morning precipitation will spread again from the northeast towards the southwest, but much less than today. In the lowlands mostly rain. In the night to Wednesday it will stop except in the south. On Wednesday mostly cloudy, also in southern Slovenia precipitation will stop in the morning. On Thursday and Friday dry weather. Clouds will break up in places.

Trend of snow conditions
Due to stronger snowfall and wind, today snow and avalanche conditions will deteriorate slightly mainly in Carinthia and the area of Kamnik-Savinja Alps, eastern Karawanks and Pohorje. In the coming days in the mountains due to cold weather snow and avalanche conditions will not change quickly. Snow will settle only slowly, especially in the high mountains new wind slabs will still form. Avalanche danger will only decrease somewhat on Wednesday during the day, but will remain MODERATE, level 3. Initially spontaneous avalanches of dry unbonded, and also bonded snow will still release from steeper slopes. Spontaneous avalanching will gradually decrease from Wednesday onwards. Individual spontaneous avalanches from steep grassy slopes in the mid-mountains will also be possible. However, there will remain a high possibility that under minor load you trigger a slab avalanche on steep and moderately steep slopes and on areas where wind has accumulated snow (gullies, and similar). Conditions in the mountains will be difficult and demanding.

Next issue: Thursday, 26. 1. 2023

Source: ARSO