Snow conditions 27.3.2023

General avalanche danger level - Monday, 27. 3. 2023
The danger is level 2 on the European five-level scale - MODERATE.
Main problem: wind slab, new snow
Danger pattern: cooling after warm weather / warming after cold

Risk assessment
Avalanche danger above about 1800 m is MODERATE, level 2. Steeper slopes and places with wind-blown snow are especially dangerous, mainly on south-facing slopes. There you can trigger an avalanche of new, poorly bonded or partially bonded snow with minor loading. Lower down, due to less snow depth, the danger is LOW, level 1. Wind-exposed locations are scoured to the old base which has frozen with cooling, so there is a risk of slipping.

Snow conditions
In the mountains, at the end of the week 10 to about 50 cm of snow fell, the most above about 1800 m and in the Julian Alps. Below 1800 m it first rained, so the snow there bonded better to the base and less fell. Higher up the snow was dry, mainly the north wind transported it and formed wind slabs. The snow cover is soft and powdery, there are already some wind slabs. Due to the thundery nature of the precipitation, weak layers from graupel and faceted snow are possible locally in the snowpack.

Forecast weather development
On Monday variable to mostly cloudy and locally foggy, short-lived snow showers will form, possibly some thunderstorm. North winds will strengthen. Zero isotherm at about 1400 m above sea level, cooling will start in the evening. On Tuesday partly clear with variable patchy cloudiness. Summits will occasionally be in clouds. Minor snow showers possible. Mostly strong north winds. Zero isotherm below 1000 m above sea level. On Wednesday moderately to mostly cloudy and locally foggy. Moderate southwest to northwest wind. Warmer air will arrive in the afternoon. On Thursday mostly cloudy and foggy in places. Occasional minor precipitation especially in the hills of western Slovenia, snow line at about 1800 m above sea level. Moderate southwest wind.

Trend in snow conditions
The strengthened north wind will affect snow and avalanche conditions, transporting new snow and forming wind slabs and building cornices. It will be cold, so the snow in the mountains will remain dry and light. On sun-facing slopes the surface of the snow cover will crust slightly during the day and refreeze at night, but not higher in the high mountains. Lower down the snow will slowly melt. Above about 1800 m the avalanche danger will INCREASE and be CONSIDERABLE, level 3. Especially dangerous will be steep slopes with wind-blown snow on the south sides of ridges and saddles as well as gullies where the north wind will deposit snow. From steep slopes a spontaneous avalanche of new snow may also release.

Next issue: Thursday, 30. 3. 2023

Source: ARSO