Snow conditions 27.3.2019

Danger is level 2 on the European 5-level scale - MODERATE.

Main problem: weak layers, wind slab

Danger pattern: Cooling after warm weather / warming after cold

Danger pattern: Spring situation



Danger assessment

Avalanche danger is MODERATE above about 1800 m, level 2, lower down LOW, level 1. Steep slopes in the high mountains are particularly dangerous, especially where there is wind slab, where under greater load on the snowpack you can trigger a small avalanche.



Snow conditions

The snowpack is mostly soft in the high mountains, lower down above about 1500 m mostly crusted, except in some shady areas in the high mountains where the top layer of snow that fell on Monday may still be soft. Especially on south and west sides of ridges and saddles there is quite a bit of slush, wind-exposed locations are scoured in places to the old, hard and partly icy base.



Forecasted weather development

Today mostly cloudy, some peaks occasionally in clouds. In the afternoon clouds will thin and break in places. Weak to moderate NE wind blowing. Tomorrow less cloud, especially in Kamnik-Savinja Alps and eastern Karawanks occasionally more cloud and some peaks occasionally in clouds. Weak to moderate NE wind. Freezing level will rise during the day above 1600 m. On Friday morning mostly cloudy and foggy in many places, only in western Julian Alps and partly western Karawanks quite sunny. In the afternoon slowly clearing. Somewhat warmer than Thursday.



Trend in snow conditions

Due to relatively low temperatures and occasionally quite cloudy weather, transformation of recent snow will be slow. Only on sun-exposed slopes will snow in sunny weather ripen during the day and freeze at night, crust forming also in the high mountains. Avalanche conditions will not change much. At the end of the week, when warmer, the snowpack on sun-exposed slopes will become somewhat unstable during the day.



Next issue: Friday, 29. 3. 2019



Source: ARSO