Snow conditions 25.11.2019

Danger is level 2 on the European five-level scale - MODERATE.

Main problem: wind-blown snow, new snow

Danger pattern: Cold weather, fresh unbonded snow with wind

Danger pattern: Snowfall after a longer period of frost



Risk assessment

Avalanche danger is in the high mountains of the Julian Alps above about 1800 m elevation and in the high mountains of the Kamnik-Savinja Alps above about 2000 m MODERATE, level 2, below 1800 m and elsewhere in our mountains mostly LOW, level 1. Small avalanches of unbonded and partially bonded snow can release from sufficiently steep slopes. There are many wind slabs and soft slabs that can be triggered under slightly higher snowpack loading.



Snow conditions

The snowpack above 2300 m elevation is soft and deeply sinkable, with some crust in places due to wind. There are many hollows, wind-exposed areas are heavily scoured. At the end of the week it warmed slightly more, the zero isotherm rose to about 2500 m. Below 2300 m the snow has at least partially crusted and started settling faster, below 1800 m it is also melting.



Forecast weather development

Today and tomorrow morning it will be mostly clear in the mid-mountains and high mountains, the low cloud base will be around 1200 m elevation. Wind will be light. Tomorrow afternoon it will gradually cloud over, some summits will get cloud caps. On Wednesday it will be cloudy and foggy, in the morning precipitation will start appearing in the Julian Alps, strengthening and spreading eastward in the afternoon. Snow line will be around 1800 m elevation, only in the central Julian Alps lower. Strong southwest wind will blow.



Trend in snow conditions

The snowpack will initially stabilize especially below 2000 m. Due to the clear night, snow will freeze, crust will strengthen. Above 2300 m snow will remain dry and light and slowly transform, slightly faster transformation on southern slopes. On Wednesday it will snow again in the high mountains, 20 to 40 cm of snow possible. Most snow expected in the western Julian Alps. During snowfall, strong wind will blow, building wind slabs and hollows again on northern slopes. Below about 1600 m it will mostly rain, snow will melt there. Avalanche danger will INCREASE again in the high mountains.



Next issue: Thursday, 28.11.2019



Source: ARSO