Snow conditions 26. 1. 2024

General danger level - Friday, 26. 1. 2024
Danger level 2 on the European 5-level scale - MODERATE.
Main problem: wind slab, wet snow
Danger pattern: Cooling after warm weather / warming after frost

Risk assessment
Avalanche danger above about 1800 m a.s.l. is MODERATE, level 2, lower down LOW, level 1. Steeper slopes with wind slab are particularly dangerous, where greater load can trigger a dry slab avalanche. Especially on steep grassy south-facing mid-mountain slopes, individual wet snow avalanches can be triggered.

Snow conditions
The snowpack in mid-mountains is softened, wet, with little snow, especially south-facing slopes bare up to around 1900 m a.s.l. In shady spots there may be crust that does not support human weight. In high mountains, above about 2000 m, snow is dry, only on steeper south slopes on clear days it may crust during the day. Locally wind-compacted. Wind-exposed areas are scoured, possibly to the ground or old hard base.

Forecast weather development
Today, Friday, mostly clear, more clouds on Pohorje and eastern Karavanke. Weak to moderate northwesterly, afternoon westerly wind. Zero isotherm rises to about 2400 m a.s.l. Afternoon and evening clouding from northwest. Saturday clear and slightly cooler, zero around 1600 m a.s.l. Weak to moderate, strong northwester possible in high mountains. Sunday mostly clear with weaker wind. Freezing level rises afternoon to about 2000 m a.s.l. Monday warmer, some cirrus clouds.

Trend in snow conditions
Snowpack will continue stabilizing, crusting daytime, freezing nighttime especially Saturday and Sunday mornings, above 2100 m also Friday and Monday. On sun-facing slopes, especially steep grassy ones, wet snow avalanches possible but decreasing. In high mountains, main danger wind slab areas near ridges and gullies where wind deposited snow. Slab avalanches possible with greater load.

Next issue: Monday, 29. 1. 2024

Source: ARSO