Snow conditions 23.3.2020

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

Main problem: favorable conditions, wind-blown snow

Danger pattern: Cooling after warm weather / warming after frost

Danger pattern: Cold weather, poorly bonded fresh snow with wind



Risk assessment

The avalanche danger is currently above about 1900 m altitude MODERATE, level 2, lower down low, level 1. You can trigger a snow slab by loading the snow cover at sites with wind-blown snow. Due to the strong northeast wind these are currently forming on southern and western slopes.



Snow conditions

In the night to Sunday it snowed, 5 to 15 cm of snow fell on mostly hard base. On Sunday and in the night to Monday snow showers occurred, but only about 1 cm of snow fell. Moderate to strong northeast wind overnight and today blew snow on wind-exposed sites down to the hard base. On southern and western slopes wind slabs are forming. Especially in the high mountains the snow cover is partly thin, but mostly considerably wind-redistributed. With strong cooling icy patches have increased. Therefore there is greater DANGER OF SLIPPING.



Forecast weather development

This morning partly clear, especially in high mountains occasionally more cloudiness. During the day variably cloudy, summits occasionally in clouds. More clear skies in the foothills. Moderate to strong northeast wind will blow, transporting snow. Temperature at 1500 m around -14, at 2500 m around -20 °C. On Tuesday partly clear in the west, especially on Pohorje more cloudiness, summits occasionally in clouds, occasionally light snow possible. Moderate to strong northeast wind. Temperature at 1500 m around -10, at 2500 m around -18 °C. On Wednesday mostly cloudy and foggy, some clearness only in western Julians. Especially on Pohorje, in eastern Karawanks and on Snežnik area light snowing, towards the west amount of precipitation decreasing. Still mostly moderate east to northeast wind. At 1500 m around -8, at 2500 m around -14 °C. On Thursday and Friday mostly cloudy with light snowfall. Gradually warming.



Tendency of snow conditions

Snow conditions will not change much in the coming days due to cold weather. With moderate to strong northeast wind, areas with wind-blown snow will increase somewhat. Above about 1900 m avalanche danger will remain MODERATE, level 2, lower down low level 1. Still considerable DANGER OF SLIPPING.



Next bulletin: Wednesday, 25. 3. 2020



Source: ARSO