Snow conditions 23.12.2020

The danger is 2nd degree on the European five-level scale - MODERATE.

Main problem: wind-blown snow, wet snow, creeping snow, new snow



Risk assessment

The avalanche danger is currently above about 1500 m elevation MODERATE, 2nd degree, lower down LOW, 1st degree. Due to thawing, primarily steep grassy slopes and gullies are dangerous, where wet snow avalanches can be triggered; on southern slopes gliding avalanches can also form. In the high mountains, areas with wind-blown snow are dangerous, most of them on the northern and eastern sides of ridges and saddles. In these areas, with greater loading of the snowpack, you can trigger slab avalanches.



Snow conditions

Due to thawing, the snowpack continues to transform and settle more rapidly, while in the mid-mountains it is also melting. Yesterday it warmed up even in the high mountains, but there the snow mostly refroze due to the clear night, hence there is considerable risk of slides. On sun-exposed aspects, snow will also soften above 2000 m during the day today, while in shaded areas the snowpack will not transform much. In the high mountains, the snowpack is very uneven, especially on northern and eastern slopes there are drifts and slabs. In many places, the wind has scoured the snow down to the firm base, and some slopes are icy. The snow is crusty, there are many slabs, and relatively little dry and unprocessed snow.



Forecast weather development

Today it will be partly clear in the high mountains, in the eastern Karawanks and on the Pohorje. Elsewhere it will be cloudy and foggy in places, with occasional drizzle in the hills of Notranjska and northern Primorska. A weak to moderate west to northwest wind will blow, and in the afternoon a southwest wind will strengthen in the mid-mountains. Temperature at 1500 m will be from 4 to 10, at 2500 m 2 °C. On Thursday it will be cloudy and foggy, with clouding over also in the eastern part of our mountains. In the morning there will be precipitation in the area of the Julian Alps and the western and central Karawanks, as well as in the hills of Notranjska and northern Primorska, and in the afternoon gradually elsewhere. The snow line will be around 1500 m elevation. A strong to very strong southwest wind will blow. Temperature at 1500 m will be around 3, at 2500 m -2 °C. On Friday it will be cloudy and foggy with snow. Precipitation will weaken in the afternoon. A moderate to strong east to northeast wind will blow. It will cool down. At midday, temperature at 1500 m will be around -4, at 2500 m -10 °C. On Saturday it will be mostly clear, with a strengthened northeast wind still blowing. It will be cold. At 1500 m around -8, at 2500 m -13 °C.



Tendency of snow conditions

The avalanche release danger will remain MODERATE, 2nd degree, on Thursday; below 2000 m the snowpack will be quite soft, so wet snow avalanches can release. Higher up in the high mountains, the strong wind will transport snow and primarily build new drifts and slabs on the western and southern slopes. On Thursday it will snow quite high up, on Friday down to the alpine valleys. In total, 15 to 40 cm of snow can fall. The new snow will bond poorly to the base in places, while new slabs and wind slabs will form. Therefore, the avalanche danger will INCREASE. Due to the cold and quite windy weather, the avalanche release danger will also be CONSIDERABLE, 3rd degree, for the end of the week.



Next issue: Friday, 25. 12. 2020



Source: ARSO