Snow conditions 27. 12. 2024

General danger level - Friday, 27. 12. 2024
Danger is level 2 on the European five-level scale - MODERATE.
Main problem: drifted snow
Danger pattern: Cooling after warm weather / warming after frost

Risk assessment
Avalanche danger is MODERATE, level 2. Especially slopes above the forest line, particularly gullies, where strong northerly wind has drifted snow. Small slab avalanches can release under minor load. Especially in high mountains, areas are icy, so risk of slipping. Conditions are demanding.

Snow conditions
In mountains it was sunny and cold weather. Air was dry, wind weakened. Snow remained dry and soft. Snow cover height is very uneven due to windy weather in previous days. On more exposed locations snow is almost completely drifted away, in sheltered locations there is drifted snow, cornices. Wind-exposed locations are icy in places. There is little snow.

Forecast weather development
Today and in following days dry, mostly clear weather. Tomorrow, Saturday, some more cirrus cloudiness. Wind will be light and will no longer transport snow. Temperature inversion is strengthening.

Trend of snow conditions
Despite relatively warm weather in mountains, due to low relative humidity snow will remain dry and soft, only on sun-facing slopes in mid-mountains a thin crust may form, as snow on surface will slightly wet during day and freeze at night. There is relatively little snow. Avalanche release danger will remain MODERATE, level 2. Larger drifted areas must be avoided, where a small slab avalanche can be triggered, which can cause a fall or slip.

Next issue: Tuesday, 31. 12. 2024

Source: ARSO