Snow conditions 27.12.2019

Danger is level 3 on the European five-level scale - CONSIDERABLE.

Main problem: wind slab

Danger pattern: Cooling after warm weather / warming after cold



Risk assessment

Avalanche danger is currently in the high mountains above about 1800 m in the Julian Alps CONSIDERABLE, level 3, elsewhere above 2000 m MODERATE, level 2, lower down mostly LOW, level 1. Especially steeper, and also medium steep slopes are dangerous, where above 1800 m small and individual medium-sized slab avalanches can release spontaneously, and you can trigger a slab avalanche already with minor loading of the snowpack at places with wind slab, which are most numerous on the eastern and southern sides of ridges and saddles. Below about 1800 m there is significantly less snow, it is relatively well bonded to the base and therefore the snowpack there is mostly stable. There is also less snow in the eastern Karawanks.



Snow conditions

The snowpack is mostly soft in the high mountains, especially on wind-exposed locations crusty. There the snow is also strongly wind-packed, there are many wind slabs. Above about 1500 m the snow is dry or frozen, lower down in the morning frozen, during the day it crusts on sunny locations.



Forecast weather development

Today moderately to mostly cloudy, in the afternoon some peaks may be in clouds. Weak northwesterly wind will blow. Freezing level at about 1300 m. Tomorrow partly clear with occasional moderate cloudiness. Strong northerly to northeasterly wind will blow. Freezing level at about 900 m. Sunday and Monday mostly clear. Mostly strong northerly wind will blow, weakening on Monday. Temperature in hills and mountains below zero.



Trend of snow conditions

The snowpack will settle and transform only slowly. Wind will transport snow and form new wind slabs. There will be many slabs, therefore the possibility to trigger a slab avalanche on sufficiently steep slopes and at places with wind slab will remain CONSIDERABLE.



Next issue: Monday, 30.12.2019



Source: ARSO