Snow conditions 23.3.2016

AVALANCHE RISK ASSESSMENT



Avalanche danger is level 2.



The snowpack is only conditionally stable. In sunny weather, snow on sun-exposed slopes softens and becomes wet during the day, so wet-snow avalanches are possible on steep grassy slopes in the afternoon. Only on north-facing slopes in the high mountains is the snow still poorly metamorphosed, so the upper layers are poorly bonded to the lower ones. There are many slabs. An avalanche can be triggered by a large additional load on the snowpack primarily on steep slopes and areas with wind-deposited snow; there is also a greater likelihood on sun-exposed slopes at midday and in the afternoon. In the morning hours, there is a risk of slipping locally due to the hard, partly icy surface.





SNOW CONDITIONS and CURRENT SNOWPACK STATE



Due to more variable cloud cover, the sun had less influence on snowpack metamorphism than at the end of the week, and temperatures gradually cooled. The snow line was on Monday at around 2000 m a.s.l., yesterday at 1500 m, and today at around 1200 m above sea level. The snowpack settled and metamorphosed, becoming wet during the day and refreezing at night. It also melted at lower elevations. On north-facing aspects in the high mountains, the snow is poorly metamorphosed and dry.



In the Julian Alps, there is 340 to about 420 cm of snow at 2500 m, 170 to about 290 cm at 1500 m, and up to about 30 cm at 1000 m. Elsewhere in our mountains, there is 60 to about 100 cm at 1500 m, less towards the east. Significant snow cover starts at around 800 m a.s.l., higher on sun-exposed slopes.



The snowpack is mostly crusted over, and the snow is hard in places. During sunny weather, it softens considerably during the day, especially on sun-exposed aspects. It remains dry only in shaded north-facing spots in the high mountains. There are many wind slabs and patches. On wind-exposed sites, snow is considerably scoured. In the morning, the surface is hard and icy in places.





FORECAST WEATHER DEVELOPMENT



Today it will be mostly cloudy, locally foggy, and mostly dry. A moderate to strong northeasterly wind will blow.



Tomorrow there will be mostly sunny weather. The wind will ease slightly and turn more northerly. In the afternoon, isolated brief snow showers will form.



On Friday it will still be sunny and somewhat warmer, with the snow line rising to around 1500 m a.s.l.



On Wednesday it will be moderately to mostly cloudy and mostly dry. Slightly colder.





SNOW CONDITION TREND



The snowpack will continue to settle and metamorphose. Today the sun's influence will be minimal; due to the relatively cold air mass, the snow will mostly remain frozen and dry, except below around 1200 m a.s.l. Tomorrow it will become wet on sun-exposed slopes even higher, up to around 2000 m, while remaining mostly frozen or dry in shaded areas. It will refreeze again on the night to Friday.



No spontaneous avalanching is expected today. An avalanche can be triggered by a large additional load on steeper slopes and areas with wind-deposited snow. In the morning and early afternoon, the snow is hard with a risk of slipping in places. Tomorrow, due to solar influence, there will again be a greater chance of an avalanche at midday and in the afternoon on steep southern slopes, when it is also more likely that you can trigger it yourself.





The next report will be issued on FRIDAY, 25.3.2016 in the morning.



Source: ARSO