Snow conditions 26.4.2018

General avalanche danger level - Thursday, 26.4.2018

The danger is level 2 on the European 5-level scale - MODERATE.

Main problem: new snow, wet snow

Danger pattern: Spring situation



Risk assessment

Avalanche danger is LOW in the morning and partly in the forenoon, level 1, from late forenoon to evening MODERATE, level 2. The snowpack is mostly stable in the morning and partly in the forenoon, but settles and becomes more labile at midday. Steep slopes in the high mountains are particularly dangerous. There, in the midday and afternoon, individual wet snow avalanches can release. Tomorrow, new snow will temporarily somewhat worsen avalanche conditions above sea level around 2000 m.



Snow conditions

Due to high temperatures, the snowpack is settling and melting rapidly. The snow is mostly well settled and the surface layer softened, also depending on current weather conditions. It freezes overnight mainly in frost hollows. Weak layers are still present in the snowpack, so the upper snow layer can slab off even in shaded areas during the highest daily temperatures.



Forecast weather development

Today it will become cloudy. Mostly dry in the forenoon, precipitation will start from the north around midday, intensify in the afternoon and taper off overnight into Friday. The snow line will initially be at 2500 m, but will gradually lower and could be around 1500 m above sea level overnight. The snow will be wet. A few cm to 20 cm will fall, but only on the highest peaks. Friday will be cloudy at first, partly clearing in the afternoon. Saturday and Sunday sunny with southwesterly winds. Somewhat cloudier in the western and southern Julian Alps. Somewhat warmer.



Trend of snow conditions

The snowpack will melt and disappear at lower elevations, settle and transform rapidly at higher elevations. Little new snow, only around 10 cm above about 2000 m, which can slab on sufficiently steep slopes under load. Higher chance of slab avalanches in sunny weather midday and afternoon. In the morning and partly forenoon, the snowpack will be mostly stable.



Next issue: Saturday, 28.4.2018



Source: ARSO