Snow conditions 29. 2. 2024

General danger level - Thursday, 29. 2. 2024
Danger is level 3 on the European five-level scale - CONSIDERABLE.
Main problem: wind slab, weak layers
Danger pattern: Cold weather, poorly bonded fresh snow with wind
Danger pattern: Graupel covered with snow

Risk assessment
Avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE, level 3, in high mountains above 1900 m, lower down MODERATE, level 2. The snowpack is less stable especially on steep slopes, where a slab avalanche can be triggered by minor loading. New snow is unstable mainly where it fell on surface hoar or graupel. Conditions in the high mountains remain demanding.

Snow conditions
At the beginning of this week, the western and southern Julian Alps received above approx. 1500 m 30-40 cm of new snow, elsewhere less new snow, 10-20 cm. During snowfall, a wind from the south blew, building small new wind slabs. In places, wind slabs are on a thin layer of surface hoar or graupel, so an avalanche can be triggered there by minor loading. On Monday and Tuesday it was mostly cloudy and foggy in the mountains, somewhat clearer on Wednesday. The zero isotherm on Monday and Tuesday was mostly around 1500 m, on Wednesday it rose above 2000 m. Since the last snowfall, dry slab avalanches have released. The snowpack is transforming, settling; below approx. 1900 m the new snow has already sintered somewhat and is somewhat bonded to the base. In the high mountains the snow remained dry and light, areas with wind slab cause problems.

Forecast weather development
Today, Thursday, cloudy and foggy. Weak to moderate south to southeast wind blowing. Temperature at 1500 m around 3 °C, at 2500 m around -3 °C. Tomorrow cloudy and foggy with precipitation. Snow line around 1600 m. Weak to moderate east to southeast wind. Temperature at 1500 m around 2 °C, at 2500 m around -3 °C. Saturday and Sunday variable to mostly cloudy. In the mountains occasional light snowfall, snow line at altitudes between 1500 m and 1700 m.

Tendency of snow conditions
During Friday's snowfall, 20-30 cm of new snow will fall in the mountains above approx. 1500 m, smaller amounts on Saturday and Sunday. In the mid-mountains and up to approx. 1900 m the new snow will likely bond well with the snow cover. Conditions in the high mountains will remain demanding. Areas with wind slab will remain less stable.

Next issue: Friday, 1. 3. 2024

Source: ARSO