Snow conditions 29.11.2019

Danger is 2nd degree on the European five-level scale - MODERATE.

Main problem: wind-blown snow

Danger pattern: Snowfall after a longer period of frost



Risk assessment

Avalanche danger in the high mountains above about 1800 m altitude is MODERATE, 2nd degree, lower down mostly LOW, 1st degree. There are many wind slabs and loose slabs that can release especially on steeper slopes under increased snowpack loading. Spontaneous avalanching is unlikely.



Snow conditions

The snowpack is soft and powdery on the surface, in places where the newest snow is wind-scoured, and below about 2000 m, the snow is partly hard and frozen, lower down soft and wet. There are many crusts, wind-exposed areas are heavily scoured. Snow is less transformed in shady locations.



Forecast weather development

Today in the high mountains above about 1500 m it will be partly clear with occasional increased cloudiness with base high above the peaks. Lower down, there will be occasional sun during the day. Weak to moderate west to northwest wind will blow. Zero isotherm will be at about 2000 m altitude. Tomorrow in most of our mountains it will be cloudy and foggy, especially in the morning there will be occasional light snowfall in places. Only a few centimetres of snow may fall. Northwest to west wind will blow, in the mid-mountains of the Julian Alps southeast wind. It will cool down, temperature in the mountains will be below zero everywhere. On Sunday it will be partly clear at first, during the day it will gradually cloud over from the west. Towards evening there will already be smaller precipitation in Posočje, which will intensify and spread to the east overnight to Monday. Snowfall line between 900 and 1300 m altitude. On Monday cloudy and foggy with precipitation, snowfall line will gradually drop below 400 m above sea level. By evening up to 40 to about 70 cm of snow may fall in the Julian Alps and western and central Karawanks, elsewhere 20 to 40 cm. Wind will transport the new snow into wind slabs. It will snow onto a crusty and partly hard base, so the new snow will not bond well with the base.



Trend of snow conditions

Tomorrow due to cooling the snow will freeze everywhere, on Sunday it will consolidate up to about 1600 m altitude. On Monday avalanche conditions will deteriorate rapidly, avalanche danger will INCREASE.



Next issue: Monday, 2 December 2019



Source: ARSO