Snow conditions 23. 12. 2024

General danger level - Monday, 23. 12. 2024
Danger is level 2 on the European five-level scale - MODERATE.
Main problem: fresh snow, wind slab
Danger pattern: Cold weather, poorly bonded fresh snow with wind
Danger pattern: Cooling after warm weather / warming after cold

Risk assessment
Avalanche danger is MODERATE, level 2. Especially dangerous are slopes above the treeline, particularly gullies where strong northerly wind has drifted fresh snow. Small slab avalanches can be triggered already under light load. Especially in high mountains areas are icy, hence slip risk. Conditions are demanding. Until including Wednesday strong northerly will blow!

Snow conditions
In mountains since yesterday afternoon snowing. Most snow fell in the area of pre-alpine hills of western Slovenia and on Snežnik from 20 to nearly 50 cm. In our Alps less precipitation, mostly 5 to 20 cm snow fell. Initially moderate to strong southwesterly blew, which later turned to strengthened northerly. Snow cover is strongly wind reshaped. Northerly wind transported snow and deposited it on south slopes and built slabs. More dangerous especially gullies and couloirs where snow accumulated. And steep grassy slopes where snow bonded poorly to the ground.

Forecast weather development
Today, on Monday, initially still cloudy, cloud top above highest peaks. Afternoon clouds will break. Moderate to strong northerly will blow, strengthening towards evening. Cold. Temperature at 1500 m around -6, at 2500 m around -12 °C. On Tuesday partly clear, more clouds in Karawanks and Kamnik-Savinja Alps area. Very windy. Strong northerly will blow, which can reach gusts up to 150 km/h at exposed spots! Temperature at 1500 m around -5, at 2500 m around -10 °C. On Wednesday mostly clear. Wind will weaken, but still strengthened northerly will blow. During day it will warm slightly. Temperature at 1500 m around 0, at 2500 m -5 °C. Also in the continuation of the week dry weather looms. In heights it will warm further.

Tendency of snow conditions
In the following days strong northerly wind will mainly affect the snow cover, transporting snow and building drifts, cornices and slabs. At most exposed sites snow will be blown off to the hard base. Still fresh snow is relatively little, so avalanche release danger will not increase and will remain MODERATE, level 2. Larger windloaded areas must be avoided where smaller slab avalanche can be triggered. From Wednesday onwards mainly on south slopes of mid-mountains snow cover will crust during day and freeze at night.

Next publication: Friday, 27. 12. 2024

Source: ARSO