Snow conditions 28.5.2021

The danger level is 2 on the European five-level scale - MODERATE.
Main problem: wet snow
Danger pattern: Spring situation

Risk assessment
The avalanche danger is currently mostly LOW, level 1, but during the day it will increase in the high mountains above about 1800 m and be MODERATE, level 2. Steeper south-facing slopes will be particularly dangerous, where there is still quite a bit of unprocessed snow due to frequent snowfall. During the day, individual small to medium-sized wet snow avalanches will occur due to daytime warming. Steep gullies with snow deposits will also be more dangerous. In the mid-mountains, there is mostly old and settled snow that is stable. Danger may exist primarily in areas near cliffs and at the outlets of longer gullies, where an avalanche can be triggered from higher sections. There is also quite a bit of wind slab in the high mountains, which can be triggered by a greater load on the snowpack. Conditions are wintery. The snowpack has frozen in many places due to the clear night, so there is a risk of slipping especially in the morning and midday.

Snow conditions
There is a record amount of snow for the end of May in the high mountains and also in some mid-mountain areas. On Thursday afternoon and evening, with the passage of a cold front, the snow line dropped again to around 2000 m. In the high mountains, 5 to 10 cm, locally up to about 20 cm of southern snow fell. In some places, larger amounts of graupel or small hail also fell. The precipitation was very unevenly distributed. During the snowfall, a moderate to strong north wind blew, transporting snow and building new drifts. At night it cleared up, the new snow froze, and a crust formed in places. Only in the higher parts of the high mountains is the new snow still loose. During the day, due to the influence of the sun and warming, the new snow will become wet and unstable and start to slide. The process will be more pronounced especially on sun-facing aspects. In some mid-mountain areas, there is still old snow cover, which is settled and stable.

Forecast weather development
Today it will be mostly clear at first. During the day, cumulus clouds will develop and some summits may be in clouds. The north wind will weaken during the day. Temperature at 1500 m around 7, at 2500 m around 1 °C. On Saturday, it will be variable to mostly cloudy and foggy in places. Especially in the afternoon, there will be local showers, above about 2000 m snowy. A light north wind will blow, strengthening slightly in the evening. Temperature at 1500 m around 6, at 2500 m around 0 °C. On Sunday and Monday, it will be mostly clear at first, then variable cloudy during the day. In the afternoon, individual short-term showers will form. It will be windy, with a moderate northerly wind. Unusually cold for the end of May. At 1500 m around 6 at midday, at 2500 m around -2 °C. The zero isotherm will be at around 2000 m.

Trend in snow conditions
Today and in the coming days, we expect a typical spring situation. The new snow will become wet and more unstable during the day, and freeze at night due to clear weather. The avalanche release danger will thus be mostly LOW, level 1, only in the high mountains increasing during the day to MODERATE, level 2. In the afternoon, snow showers will form in the high mountains, a few centimeters of snow may fall, but it will not significantly affect conditions. There will be a considerable risk of slipping especially in the morning.

Next issue: Monday, 31.5.2021

Source: ARSO