Snow conditions 24.3.2021

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

Main problem: wind slab, wet snow

Danger pattern: Cooling after warm weather / warming after cold

Danger pattern: Spring situation



Risk assessment

Avalanche danger is mostly MODERATE, 2nd degree above about 1700 m, lower down SMALL, 1st degree. In places with wind slab you can trigger a dry slab avalanche even with minor loading. On wind-exposed areas and ridges there is a high risk of slipping. Especially on steep southern slopes, individual wet snow avalanches will be possible due to midday and afternoon warming.



Snow conditions

In the mountains, cold and windy weather has prevailed in recent days. Especially on Monday a strong northerly wind blew, transporting dry snow and mainly south of ridges and saddles building new slabs, deposits and cornices. The wind has significantly reshaped the snow surface, which on exposed spots is crusty, even hard and icy. In more sheltered spots there is still 10 to 30 cm of dry and loose snow on firm old snow base. The snowpack is locally very variable but mostly stable. More dangerous however are especially places with wind slab, especially gullies in which there can be a larger amount of wind-blown snow.



Forecast weather development

Today mostly clear, only on Pohorje occasionally moderately cloudy. A light to moderate wind from northern directions will blow. Noticeably warmer, temperature at 1500 m from -1 to 2, at 2500 m around -5 °C. Thursday mostly clear, afternoon some cirrus clouds. Wind light and variable directions. Slightly warmer, temperature at 1500 m from 1 to 4, at 2500 m around -3 °C. In the night to Friday temporarily clouding over, cloudiness above our peaks. Friday morning and forenoon cloudiness retreating. Afternoon mostly clear. A light to moderate southwesterly will start blowing. At 1500 m around 5, at 2500 m around -2 °C. End of the week quite cloudy and also foggy with occasional precipitation. Snowfall limit initially around 1500 m, in the night to Sunday descending. Amount of precipitation still uncertain.



Trend in snow conditions

Snow conditions will start to change due to the influence of sun and warmer weather. Already today during the day the snowpack on sun-facing aspects will get crusty and freeze at night. Due to even warmer weather the process of snowpack transformation will be faster in the coming days. Especially on sun-facing slopes individual wet snow avalanches will be possible, this especially applies to wind slab located on southern slopes. Locally in shady gullies it will still be dangerous to trigger dry slab avalanches. Especially in the morning and forenoon the snowpack will be icy in many places and dangerous for slipping.



Next issue: Friday, 26. 3. 2021



Source: ARSO