Snow conditions 24. 2. 2025

General danger level - Monday, 24. 2. 2025
Danger is level 2 on the European five-level scale - MODERATE.
Main problem: wind-blown snow, weak layers, wet snow, new snow
Danger pattern: Cooling after warm weather / warming after frost
Danger pattern: Rain

Risk assessment
Avalanche danger is MODERATE, level 2, above about 1700 m, lower down mostly LOW, level 1. Slightly lower danger in the Kamnik-Savinja Alps. Steeper slopes with wind-blown snow are particularly dangerous, found on south and southeast sides around ridges and summits. Especially in the transition between thin and thick snow cover, larger loads can trigger small to medium-sized slab avalanches. Deeper in the snowpack, weak layers persist that can be triggered by slightly larger loads. With warming, individual loose wet snow avalanches are possible, mainly on steep grassy slopes. Slabs may also release. Wind-exposed locations are scoured to hard, possibly icy base, with high risk of slipping there.

Snow conditions
Snow conditions in the mountains are very varied. With warming, the zero isotherm has risen to around 1900 m a.s.l. In recent days, snow cover on sun-exposed aspects, especially in mid-mountains, has settled significantly and become unstable. Due to wind influence and on sun-exposed aspects also daily melting and nocturnal freezing, the snowpack is crusty in many places, with many slabs. In sheltered and shady high mountain locations, there is still some light snow. On the most exposed locations, snow is scoured to hard and icy base.

Forecast weather development
Today, Monday, cloudy, light precipitation will subside during the day. Wind weak, mostly from north and west. Tomorrow cloudy, initially partly clear in high mountains. Especially in the afternoon, summits in clouds. During the day, moderate southwest wind will blow. In the afternoon, light precipitation will start in the west. On Wednesday, precipitation in the Julian Alps area and foothills will gradually intensify and spread east in the afternoon. Initially weak to moderate southwest wind, turning to northeast during the day, cooling. Snow line will drop from initial 1500 m to around 800 m a.s.l. By Thursday morning, precipitation will mostly subside, clearing from the west in the afternoon.

Trend in snow conditions
On Wednesday and until Thursday morning, 20 to 30 cm of snow will fall in the mountains, more precipitation in the hills of northern Primorska, Notranjska and Kočevska. In high mountains, it will snow on hard and crusty base in many places, so a weak layer will remain under fresh snow. Below about 1700 m, snow will be wet and bond better to the base. Northeast wind will form drifts, but no strong wind expected this time. In high mountains, avalanche danger will INCREASE on Wednesday and be CONSIDERABLE, level 3. Steeper slopes with wind-blown snow will become particularly dangerous, and fresh, poorly bonded snow may slide spontaneously from steep slopes. Lower down, on steep grassy slopes, some wet snow slab avalanches possible initially, but little snow there. Wind-exposed high mountain locations will be scoured and remain icy. Therefore, great caution recommended on Wednesday and Thursday.

Next issue: Thursday, 27. 2. 2025

Source: ARSO