Snow conditions 29.4.2023

General danger level - Saturday, 29.4.2023
The danger is 2nd degree on the European five-level scale - MODERATE.
Main problem: wind slab, wet snow
Danger pattern: Spring situation

Risk assessment
The avalanche danger is in the high mountains above about 1800 m above sea level MODERATE, 2nd degree, below about 1800 m currently LOW, 1st degree. Steeper terrain in the high mountains with more snow, including wind-blown snow, and steep grassy slopes especially on sun-exposed aspects somewhat lower where there is still sufficient snow are more dangerous. Wet snow slide avalanches are possible there. Greater attention is needed especially in gullies and below walls, where avalanches can reach lower.

Snow conditions
In recent days there have been only occasional local precipitation, so in places in the high mountains there is at most 10 cm of snow. Today's thunderstorms may have brought some hail. The zero isotherm was above the highest peaks. Snow is settling and melting lower down, higher up there is some fresh snow only in more shaded locations. Snow is mostly soft, in the shade of high peaks it can still be dry, otherwise mostly wet. The old snowpack is consolidated and hard higher up, wet and southerly lower down. Conditions change depending on weather conditions - possible sunny days and clearer nights when snow can refreeze.

Forecast weather development
On Sunday it will be variable to mostly cloudy and foggy in places. In the afternoon and evening there will be local showers, above about 2200 m snowy. Wind will be light from easterly directions. On Monday it will cloud over from the southwest. In the afternoon there will be occasional precipitation in the area of the Julian Alps and western Karawanks and in the hills of Notranjska and northern Primorska. The snow line will be at about 2100 m above sea level. A light to moderate southeasterly wind will blow. On Tuesday it will be cloudy and foggy with precipitation. The snow line will be between 1800 and 2000 m above sea level. A light northeasterly wind will blow. In the high mountains we expect 20 to 30 cm of snow,

Trend in snow conditions
Tomorrow conditions will mostly be unchanged, the sun's influence will be great, so the chance of triggering a slab or wet snow avalanche will be greater towards noon and in the afternoon. Afternoon precipitation will be local and unpredictable. On Monday there will be some sun especially in the eastern Karawanks, elsewhere it will already be quite cloudy and the sun will no longer have much influence. There will not yet be much afternoon precipitation. Snow in the high mountains will not be as southern as on Sunday. On Tuesday avalanche and snow conditions in the high mountains will change rapidly and deteriorate during the day.

Next issue: Monday, 1.5.2023

Source: ARSO