Snow conditions 24.2.2021

The danger level is 3 on the European five-level scale - CONSIDERABLE.

Main problem: wet snow, gliding snow

Danger pattern: Spring situation

Danger pattern: Cooling after warm weather / warming after frost



Danger assessment

Avalanche danger above about 1500 m is MODERATE, 2nd level, in the midday and afternoon it increases especially on sun-exposed slopes and is CONSIDERABLE, 3rd level. On steeper sun-exposed slopes and especially in gullies and couloirs, due to warm and sunny weather, spontaneous wet snow avalanches are still expected. Especially on grassy slopes, cracks are widening and slab avalanches are also releasing, cornices may also collapse. In some shady areas and ridges there are icy surfaces, so slipping is also dangerous.



Snowpack conditions

In the typical spring situation, the snowpack especially on sun-exposed aspects settles, transforms and melts faster during the day. In lower elevations this also happens in shady aspects. This process is slower in the high mountains due to lower temperatures and dry air. In shadier aspects, the snowpack is crusty, in sparser areas the snow is still loose and soft. There are many wind crusts and cornices. Ridges are wind-scoured and also icy. During the day, in sunny weather, snow softens and becomes watery on sun-exposed aspects, freezes at night. There are large differences in snowpack conditions between sun-exposed and shady aspects. In recent days, wet snow avalanches have mainly released on steep southern slopes, cracks have also widened.



Forecasted weather development

Until Friday inclusive, the weather will be clear, very dry and very warm. Weak winds of variable direction will prevail. The atmosphere will be hazy due to desert dust. In the morning and forenoon, there will be a distinct temperature inversion. It will be significantly colder on plateaus and in valleys than on slopes and summits. At 1500 m, the temperature will be around 9 °C all days, at 2500 m around 4 °C. On Saturday and Sunday it will cool down. There will also be temporarily increased cloudiness, but no significant precipitation is expected.



Trend in snow conditions

Until Friday, similar conditions are expected. In the coming days, the snowpack will especially on sun-exposed slopes settle, transform and melt faster during the day. In shady aspects, this process will be much slower. During the day it will soften and become watery on sun-exposed aspects, freeze at night. Daily cycle of snowpack instability will still be present. In the midday and afternoon, avalanche danger on sunny slopes will be CONSIDERABLE (3rd level). The snowpack on sun-exposed slopes will be relatively stable early in the morning and partly in the forenoon. Due to overnight freezing of the snowpack, there will be a high risk of slipping. At the end of the week, the danger of avalanche release will decrease due to cooling.



Next issue: Friday, 26. 2. 2021



Source: ARSO