Snow conditions 23.2.2022

General avalanche danger level - Wednesday, 23. 2. 2022
The danger is level 2 on the European 5-level scale - MODERATE.
Main problem: weak layers, wind slab
Danger pattern: cooling after warm weather / warming after cold

Risk assessment
Avalanche danger is MODERATE, level 2 above about 1500 m elevation, below LOW, level 1. Dangerous are spots with fresh wind-blown snow, mainly on south-facing slopes and steep slopes where due to weak layers under newer snow a slab avalanche can be triggered under greater snowpack load. Wind-exposed locations are heavily scoured, there is a risk of slipping.

Snow conditions
On Monday up to 20 cm of dry snow fell in the mountains, which was transported yesterday by strengthened northerly wind. The wind built new slabs on south-facing slopes, which in some places can release already under minor load. The amount of wind-blown snow increases with elevation. Especially in the high mountains you can trigger small to medium-sized snow avalanches. Lower down there is relatively little loose and poorly bonded snow. The older snowpack has transformed relatively well there. Especially in the high mountains also pay attention to weak layers in the snowpack. Wind-exposed locations are scoured and icy.

Forecast weather development
Today in the morning and midday moderately cloudy, summits in the high mountains will occasionally be in clouds. Especially on Pohorje some minor snow shower will form. In the afternoon it will clear up. Mostly moderate northwesterly wind will blow, occasionally strengthened in the high mountains. Temperature at 1500 m around 0, at 2500 m around -6 °C. On Thursday mostly clear, in the afternoon high cirrus cloudiness will increase. Mostly moderate westerly winds will blow. Temperature at 1500 m around 1, at 2500 m around -2 °C. On Friday in the morning still quite clear, in the midday it will quickly cloud over. In the afternoon cloudy and foggy with snowfall. The snow line will quickly drop to the alpine valleys. Wind will be weak and variable directions, in the evening strengthened northerly will blow. At midday temperature at 1500 m around -1, at 2500 m around -7 °C, towards evening it will cool down. At the end of the week moderately to mostly cloudy, summits will often be in clouds. Moderate to strong northeasterly wind will blow. It will be cold.

Tendency of snow conditions
Today and tomorrow the snowpack on sun-exposed slopes will settle somewhat during the day, freeze at night, a crust will form. In shaded locations the snow will remain light and dry. On exposed locations the wind will today and tomorrow still transport snow, also due to wind influence a crust will form. Dangerous will mainly be spots with wind-blown snow on steeper slopes, where under greater load you can trigger a slab avalanche. Avalanche danger will above around 1500 m remain MODERATE, level 2, lower LOW, level 1. Especially on scoured locations the risk of slipping remains. On Friday afternoon deterioration of weather with snowfall is expected, we expect around 10 cm of snow to fall in the mountains. New snowfall will most likely not significantly affect the avalanche danger. Next avalanche bulletin we will publish on Friday, 25.2.2022.

Next issue: Friday, 25. 2. 2022

Source: ARSO