Snow conditions 30.4.2021

The danger level is 2 on the European five-level scale - MODERATE.
Main problem: wet snow, new snow
Danger pattern: Cooling after warm weather / warming after cold

Risk assessment
Avalanche danger is currently above sea level around 1600 m MODERATE, level 2, lower down LOW, level 1. The snow cover is well bonded and generally stable, but due to warming it has softened lower down and in places soaked through to the ground. We expect individual small to medium-sized wet snow avalanches to occur especially on steep slopes. Greater danger will primarily be in possible sunny weather on more sun-exposed slopes. In the high mountains, there are still wind slabs that can easily release on steep slopes with increased snow cover load. In places in the high mountains, there is also a risk of full-depth glide avalanches.

Snow conditions
In recent days, due to warming high in the mountains, the snow cover has become denser and softened. Lower down, snow is melting, higher up it is mostly wet and at least slightly softened; where the snow cover is somewhat thinner, or there is a weak layer in the snow, cracks appear on sufficiently steep slopes indicating the possibility of wet snow avalanches releasing when it warms enough and the snow layer becomes saturated. Only on the highest summits is there still some frozen snow and icy patches today.

Forecast weather development
Today it will be mostly cloudy and locally foggy, with more sun occasionally in the eastern part of our mountains. Local precipitation will occur, mostly showers, possibly with thunder. Snow level around 2200 m. Moderate southwest wind. Tomorrow variable to mostly cloudy, occasionally more sun in the eastern part of the mountains. Especially in the afternoon, individual showers will form, possibly some thunderstorms. Moderate southwest wind. Freezing level at the height of the highest summits. Precipitation will intensify in the evening and temporarily spread eastward. Snow level around 2500 m, dropping to around 1900 m by Sunday morning. On Sunday, mostly cloudy and foggy in the mountains. Occasional precipitation, snow level between 1600 and 1900 m, slowly lowering in the afternoon and dropping to around 1000 m above sea level overnight into Monday. Wind turning to northwest. On Monday during the day, precipitation will ease, clouds will break. East to northeast wind.

Trend in snow conditions
With increasingly warm weather, moist air mass, and rain, avalanche danger will increase tomorrow and be CONSIDERABLE, level 3, in elevations where there is still significant snow cover, below around 1500 m mostly LOW, level 1. The snow cover will not freeze even at night, snow will soak through to the ground or to hidden weak layers in places. Numerous small and individual medium-sized spontaneous wet snow avalanches possible. Steep slopes of all aspects where the snow cover is poorly transformed will be dangerous. We also expect cornice collapse. In mid-mountains, snow cover will melt rapidly. On Sunday, it will start snowing again in the high mountains, creating new wind slabs there, but with cooling overnight into Monday, the snow will stabilize somewhat.

Next issue: Monday, 3.5.2021

Source: ARSO