Snow conditions 25.2.2022

General avalanche danger level - Friday, 25. 2. 2022
Danger is level 2 on the European five-level scale - MODERATE.
Main problem: weak layers, wind slab
Danger pattern: cooling after warm weather / warming after cold
Danger pattern: cold weather, fresh snow poorly bonded by wind

Risk assessment
Avalanche danger above about 1700 m altitude is MODERATE, level 2, lower down LOW, level 1. Dangerous are spots with freshly wind-deposited snow, mainly on southern slopes. Caution especially in gullies, where larger amounts of wind snow can accumulate, and on transitions from thicker to thinner snow cover. Small to medium-sized avalanches can be triggered at rare spots already with minor loading. Wind-exposed locations are heavily scoured, risk of slipping there.

Snow conditions
In the mountains, over the past two days snow conditions have changed slowly only on sun-exposed slopes and in lower locations, where the snowpack settled during the day and froze at night. A crust formed. On very sunny slopes the snow is bonded and relatively well transformed. Yesterday a strengthened southwesterly wind affected the snowpack, transporting snow and building small slabs. The snowpack is heavily wind-formed, wind influence increases with altitude. Very wind-exposed locations are scoured almost to the bare ground and also icy. Especially in sheltered and shady locations there is still up to 20 cm of dry snow on a hard base.

Forecast weather development
Today in the morning cloudiness increasing. Afternoon cloudy and foggy with light snowfall, which will cease in the evening. Initially light wind, in the afternoon and evening strengthening north wind. At midday temperature at 1500 m around -2, at 2500 m around -8 °C, in the afternoon and evening cooling further. Saturday partly clear with variable cloudiness, possible isolated snow showers. Moderate to strong wind from north to northeast. Temperature at 1500 m around -5, at 2500 m around -13 °C. Sunday initially partly clear, summits occasionally in clouds. Clearing in the afternoon. Initially still moderate to strong northeasterly wind, weakening during the day. Still cold. Temperature at 1500 m at midday around -5, at 2500 m around -11 °C. Monday mostly clear, some cloudiness especially in Kamnik-Savinja Alps and eastern Karawanks. Still relatively windy and one degree colder than Sunday.

Tendency of snow conditions
Today's deterioration will bring only about 5 cm to max 10 cm dry snow, which the strong north wind will quickly scour and build new slabs already overnight to Saturday. The weekend will feature cold and very windy weather. Only wind will affect the snowpack, sun influence negligible at least in mid-mountain and high mountain areas. Avalanche danger above about 1700 m altitude will remain MODERATE, level 2, lower down LOW, level 1. Greater caution needed especially in areas with wind slab. Risk of slipping will increase slightly. Next avalanche bulletin on Monday, 28.2.2022.

Next issue: Monday, 28. 2. 2022

Source: ARSO