Snow conditions 23.3.2023

General danger level - Thursday, 23. 3. 2023
Danger is 3rd degree on the European five-level scale - CONSIDERABLE.
Main problem: wind slab, wet snow, new snow
Danger pattern: Spring situation
Danger pattern: Cooling after warm weather / warming after frost

Risk assessment
Avalanche danger is currently above sea level around 2000 m MODERATE, 2nd degree. Steeper southern slopes are particularly dangerous, where due to daytime warming we expect spontaneous wet snow avalanches. In high mountains, wind slab may occur in places; with greater load, a small slab avalanche can be triggered. Lower down, danger is LOW, 1st degree. Wind-exposed locations are scoured to the old base which freezes at night, so there is mainly risk of slipping there in the morning and early forenoon.

Snow conditions
It is relatively warm in the mountains. Snowline is at sea level around 2800 m. Especially on steep southern slopes in high mountains, snow softens during the day, at night it refreezes in high mountains. In more shady locations, snow has transformed much more slowly due to dry air. Mainly on southern and western sides of ridges and saddles there are areas with wind slab. Wind-exposed locations are scoured to the old base, which is hard and icy in places. In mid-mountains there are already many bare spots.

Forecast weather development
On Friday moderately to mostly cloudy and locally foggy. Less cloudiness in eastern Karawanks and on Pohorje. Moderate to strong southwesterly will blow. Towards evening there will be minor precipitation on Bovško, which will intensify in the night to Saturday and cover all Slovenia. On Saturday morning they will subside, during the day there will still be local snow showers. Snow level will initially be around 1800 m, by Saturday morning it will drop to around 1300 m above sea level. Northwesterly will blow. On Sunday initially partly clear, during the day it will gradually cloud over from the west. Southwesterly will blow. In the afternoon light precipitation possible in the western part of our mountains. In the night to Monday precipitation will intensify and cover all Slovenia. On Monday morning they will already subside, during the day minor snow showers. Strengthened northerly wind will blow, even colder. Zero isotherm will be on Monday at sea level around 1400 m, in the night to Tuesday it will cool even more.

Trend of snow conditions
On snow and avalanche conditions tomorrow sun and warm air mass will still influence, but mainly in the eastern part of our mountains. Snow cover will soften on sun-exposed slopes during the day, lower down snow will also melt. Avalanche conditions will slightly worsen during the day. In the night to Saturday and Saturday early morning 10 to around 20 cm snow will fall, most in high mountains and in the western part of mountains. Avalanche conditions will not substantially worsen. More new snow will fall by Monday morning, when additional 20 to over 30 cm can be expected. Northerly wind will drift it into drifts, due to cooling the snow will be drier and therefore less well bonded to the base.

Next issue: Friday, 24. 3. 2023

Source: ARSO