Snow conditions 26.3.2021

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

Main problem: drifted snow, wet snow

Danger pattern: Cooling after warm weather / warming after frost

Danger pattern: Spring situation



Risk assessment

Avalanche danger is mostly MODERATE, 2nd degree above around 1700 m, lower down LOW, 1st degree. In places with drifted snow you can trigger a small dry slab avalanche even with minor loading. On wind-scoured areas and ridges there is a high risk of slipping. On steep southern slopes due to relatively warm and sunny weather midday and in the afternoon individual small wet snow avalanches are possible.



Snow conditions

In recent days it has warmed up, today the freezing level is at around 2200 m. The snowpack has consolidated during the day and refrozen at night. In shaded locations there is still 10 to 20 cm of dry and soft snow on a hard snow base. The snowpack is locally very variable but mostly stable. More dangerous are places with drifted snow, especially gullies which may hold larger amounts of drifted snow, and on sunny days steep southern slopes where a small wet snow avalanche can also be triggered.



Forecast weather development

Today mostly clear, southwesterly strengthening. Towards evening clouds gathering in the west. Tomorrow variable to mostly cloudy and locally foggy. Smaller precipitation events will occur, initially more in the western part of our mountains, then more frequent in the north and moving towards southwest. Snow line at around 1600 m. Weak to moderate westerly winds blowing. In the night to Sunday the snow line will drop below 1000 m. Sunday cloudy and locally foggy, precipitation weakening and mostly ceasing by midday. Towards evening clearing. In mid-mountains easterly winds, in high mountains westerly. Morning freezing level below around 1300 m, afternoon warmer air flowing in again. Monday quite clear and warmer, zero isotherm rising to the highest peaks. Weak westerly winds.



Trend in snow conditions

Today snow will consolidate faster and more due to higher temperatures, in shade remaining mostly refrozen or dry. Tomorrow due to increased cloud cover and slightly cooler weather no pronounced change in conditions during the day. Therefore the snowpack will be somewhat more stable. By Sunday midday possibly 5 to around 20 cm of snow may fall, which wind will mainly drift into cornices in high mountains where it will snow onto hard base, lower down new snow will bond better to the base. Thus new slabs will form mainly in high mountains hiding a weak layer underneath on which they can slide even with minor loading. On Monday with rapid and pronounced warming and sunny weather small drifted snow avalanches may release spontaneously from steep southern slopes. Danger will not increase in terms of level but nevertheless on Monday due to new snow, warming and sunny weather avalanche conditions will be less favourable than at the weekend's end. On wind-scoured ridges and in shaded locations slipping risk remains.



Next bulletin: Monday, 29. 3. 2021



Source: ARSO