Snow conditions 25.4.2022

General danger level - Monday, 25. 4. 2022
Danger is level 2 on the European five-level scale - MODERATE.
Main problem: new snow, wet snow
Danger pattern: Spring situation

Risk assessment
Avalanche danger above about 1800 m above sea level is MODERATE, level 2, lower down LOW, level 1. At the end of the week, especially in the high mountains of the Julian Alps, considerable snow fell, which in places did not bond well with the base. Steeper slopes and gullies on northern aspects are particularly dangerous, where the south wind has drifted considerable snow. Individual dry snow avalanches are possible. Below 2000 m, the new snow has already become wet. Due to the influence of the sun and daytime warming, smaller to medium-sized wet snow avalanches will release today, and some wind slab may also fail. In the mid-mountains there is little snow, mostly old and settled snow. The snowpack is well bonded and stable.

Snow conditions
Since Friday, the weather in the mountains has been unsettled with occasional precipitation. It snowed in the high mountains, lower down it mostly rained. In the Julian Alps area, 20 to 50 cm of more or less wet snow fell, perhaps even more in the western Julian Alps. The snow was only drier during the day on Sunday. In the Kamnik-Savinja Alps there was less precipitation, up to 20 cm of snow fell. It snowed onto a softer base, but the new snow did not bond well with the base in places and needs time to stabilise. This applies especially to the western Julian Alps, where the most snow fell. Individual thunderstorms also occurred, probably graupel and soft hail fell. Especially on Sunday, a moderate to strong south to southwest wind blew, which formed wind slabs, cornices and slabs around ridges and summits. In the mid-mountains, the old snow cover continued to melt.

Forecast weather development
Today it will be variable to mostly cloudy, with occasional short showers. A light westerly wind will blow. Temperature at 1500 m around 5, at 2500 m around -2 °C. On Tuesday it will be mostly cloudy and also foggy. In the morning there will be individual showers, in the afternoon precipitation will be more frequent. The snow line will mostly be between 1600 and 1900 m above sea level. A light southwest wind will blow. Temperature at 1500 m around 4, at 2500 m around -2 °C. On Tuesday night to Wednesday it will cool down, precipitation will continue until morning. The snow line will drop to around 1200 m above sea level. On Wednesday morning it will clear quickly, during the day variable cumulus cloudiness will form. From midday and in the afternoon local showers may form, possibly a thunderstorm. The snow line will be around 1500 m above sea level. A light to moderate northerly wind will blow, stronger during showers. Temperature at 1500 m around 4, at 2500 m around -4 °C. On Thursday and Friday it will be partly clear, windy and quite fresh for the end of April. Today cloudy with precipitation, snow in high mountains, mostly rain in mid-mountains. Most summits will be in clouds. In the afternoon precipitation will weaken and mostly stop by evening. Mostly easterly to southeasterly wind will blow, turning south to southwest in the afternoon. Temperature at 1500 m around 2, at 2500 m around -2°C. On Saturday variable to mostly cloudy, summits occasionally in clouds, some chance of sun especially in the east in the afternoon. More cloudy in western and southern Julian Alps. Especially in the Julian Alps and western and central Karawanks there will be occasional small local precipitation, snow line between 1600 and 1900 m above sea level. Initially light southwesterly wind, strengthening during the day. Temperature at 1500 m around 5, at 2500 m around 0°C. On Saturday night to Sunday and Sunday morning, especially in the Julian Alps and western Karawanks, more abundant precipitation, possibly a thunderstorm. Snow line around 1900 m above sea level. Moderate to strong south to southwest wind will blow. Sunday daytime will remain variable, summits often in clouds. Occasional showers, thunderstorm possible in the afternoon. Strengthened southwesterly wind will continue, only slightly weakening. Temperature at 1500 m around 4, at 2500 m around -3 °C. The weather will not settle completely on Monday either, but there will be relatively little precipitation. Occasional local showers. Quite variable cumulus cloudiness. Light to moderate southwesterly wind will still blow.

Trend in snow conditions
Today typical spring conditions will prevail. The fresh snow cover will become wet quickly despite considerable cloudiness. On Tuesday and Wednesday there will be occasional snow especially in the high mountains, total 10 to even 40 cm of snow may fall. Due to showers, the amount of precipitation will be unevenly distributed, more expected in the western Julian Alps. In the high mountains, quite demanding conditions will persist. Avalanche danger above about 1800 m will remain MODERATE, level 2, lower down LOW, level 1. On Thursday and Friday conditions will be spring-like again. The snowpack will become wet during the day and freeze at night. The next avalanche bulletin will be published on Friday, 29.4.2022.

Next issue: Friday, 29. 4. 2022

Source: ARSO