Snow conditions 30.12.2020

Danger is 4th degree on the European five-level scale - HIGH.

Main problem: new snow, weak layers



Risk assessment

Avalanche danger is decreasing and will be during the day above about 1200 m altitude CONSIDERABLE, 3rd degree, lower MODERATE, 2nd degree. The new snow has been heavily drifted by the strong southwesterly wind and formed numerous slabs and windslabs. On steeper and medium steep slopes you can trigger slab avalanches even with minor loading. Due to the abundance of new snow, spontaneous dry snow avalanches from sufficiently steep slopes are still expected. Beneath the new snow there are weak layers in the old snowpack. Slightly lower danger in the eastern Karawanks, where there is less new snow than elsewhere.



Snow conditions

In the high mountains there is a thick snowpack that has been heavily reshaped by the strong wind. Wind-exposed areas are heavily scoured, on lee slopes there are numerous slabs that have also crept. The snow is light and soft and sinks deeply, below around 1200 m it is wet, higher up dry. Less snow in the eastern part of our mountains.



Forecast weather development

Today initially cloudy and foggy, no significant precipitation anymore. During the day clouds will thin and break up in the afternoon, summits occasionally in clouds. Weak westerly to southwesterly wind blowing. Tomorrow partly clear with variable cloudiness, some summits occasionally in clouds. Initially isolated snow showers possible. Weak to moderate northeasterly wind blowing, turning southwesterly during the day. Friday cloudy and foggy, southwesterly strengthening. In the western and central part of our mountains it will snow again. Saturday cloudy and foggy, still snowing, less precipitation in the eastern part of our mountains. Moderate to strong southerly wind blowing. Sunday snowfall gradually ceasing.



Tendency of snow conditions

Above about 1300 m altitude the snowpack will only slowly settle and transform. Spontaneous slab creep will calm down. No major new drifting today and tomorrow. Avalanche danger will temporarily decrease slightly. Friday and Saturday danger will increase again due to new snow and stronger wind, in the eastern part of our mountains no major changes, only wind will create new drifts there. Amounts of new snow cannot yet be precisely forecasted, the increase in avalanche danger will depend on that. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday morning steeper slopes and windloaded areas will be more dangerous, where you can trigger slab avalanches even with small loading of the tender snowpack. Smaller and individual medium-sized spontaneous avalanches of both slab and dry loose snow from steep slopes possible. Conditions in the mountains are demanding and locally still dangerous.



Next issue: Sunday, 3. 1. 2021



Source: ARSO