Snow conditions 26. 4. 2024

General danger level - Friday, 26 April 2024
Danger is 3rd level on the European five-level scale - CONSIDERABLE.
Main problem: wind slab, wet snow
Danger pattern: cooling after warm weather / warming after cold

Risk assessment
Avalanche release danger is mostly CONSIDERABLE, 3rd level. A lot of snow has fallen in the mountains in recent days. In high mountains, new snow has fallen on hard and icy base in places. Spontaneous sloughing of unbonded snow is expected especially on steep slopes. Especially around summits and ridges, there are wind slab areas that can release under minor load. Under wind slab, there may be facets or depth hoar in places, representing a weak layer. With gradual warming, wet snow avalanches will release in mid-mountains, steep grass-covered areas will be particularly dangerous.

Snow conditions
Since Monday, 50 to 80 cm of snow has fallen in mountains above around 1200 m, snowing down to valleys. Snow cover has softened somewhat in mid-mountains especially on Wednesday daytime. During snowfall, weak to moderate NE wind blew mainly around summits and ridges, transporting snow and building drifts. Snow cover sinks deeply in most places, movement is difficult. Conditions are fully wintery. In high mountains, wind-exposed spots are scoured to icy base, slip risk there.

Forecast weather development
Today, Friday, patchy cloudiness in mountains, individual showers possible. Snow line around 1400 m elevation, small precipitation amounts. SW wind strengthening, moderate in afternoon. Zero isotherm rises to 1700 m by evening. Saturday variable cloudiness, more clear in morning. Local showers appearing, more likely in Julian Alps. Snow line rises slightly to around 1800 m. Weak to moderate SW wind. Midday temperature at 1500 m around 3, at 2500 m around -3 °C. Sunday dry, partly clearing. Noticeably warmer. Moderate SW wind continues. 0 °C isotherm rises above 3000 m elevation during day! Monday mostly sunny and slightly warmer than Sunday, SW wind weakening.

Tendency of snow conditions
Avalanche release danger due to thaw remains CONSIDERABLE, 3rd level. Wet snow avalanches will release spontaneously slightly higher each day - today mainly in mid-mountains, Saturday and Sunday also on highest summits. Larger snow avalanches possible on individual slopes. In mid-mountains snow cover will transform and melt rapidly. Due to clearing, snow cover will refreeze at night, crust strengthening. SW wind will occasionally transport light snow in high mountains, new wind slabs forming.

Next issue: Monday, 29 April 2024

Source: ARSO