Snow conditions 30.3.2020

The danger is 3rd level on the European five-level scale - CONSIDERABLE.

Main problem: new snow, wind-drifted snow, wet snow

Danger pattern: Cooling after warm weather / warming after frost



Risk assessment

The avalanche danger has increased above sea level around 1700 m due to new snow and is in the Julian Alps and in the western and central Karawanks CONSIDERABLE, 3rd level, elsewhere in our mountains MODERATE, 2nd level, lower down LOW, 1st level. You can trigger a snow slab avalanche with minor loading of the snowpack on steeper slopes with wind-drifted snow, from steep slopes individual slabs of new, poorly bonded snow may also release. On wind-exposed locations there is a risk of slips on old and icy snow cover.



Snow conditions

Overnight it snowed in the mountains. 10 to around 30 cm of snow fell, depending on altitude and geographical location. The most fell in the western and central Karawanks and in the northern and central part of the Julian Alps, elsewhere somewhat less. A wind from northern directions blew, forming wind slabs on the southern and western sides of ridges and saddles. The new snow is soft and in the high mountains not well bonded to the base, lower down it is. On exposed locations it is drifted down to the old snow cover, which is frozen and hard.



Forecast weather development

Today it will be cloudy with snow, which will slowly weaken in the afternoon and stop during the night to Tuesday. Another around 10 cm of snow may fall, especially in the Julians possibly more. Northeasterly wind will blow. Temperature will be below zero. Tomorrow initially mostly clear, midday and afternoon cumulus clouds will form, summits will occasionally be in clouds. It will be cold, a weak to moderate northeasterly wind will blow. On Wednesday and Thursday mostly clear and cold, the wind will be relatively weak.



Trend in snow conditions

Today and tomorrow in the high mountains of the western and central Karawanks and Julian Alps the danger will remain CONSIDERABLE, 3rd level due to the cold and new snow, then it will gradually decrease. Everywhere caution is needed on steeper slopes, especially on southern and western sides, at places with wind-drifted snow. Initially individual dry poorly bonded snow slabs from steep slopes will be possible. The snowpack will transform faster in the second half of the week due to warming, freeze at night, but during the day on sun-exposed slopes it will form a crust and become temporarily unstable. Then on southern, steeper slopes individual wet snow slabs will be possible. The layer of newer snow will settle,



Next issue: Wednesday, 1. 4. 2020



Source: ARSO