Snow conditions 3.12.2020

The danger level is 2 on the European five-level scale - MODERATE.

Main problem: wind slab, new snow, wet snow



Risk assessment

The avalanche danger is currently above the treeline MODERATE, level 2. Wind slabs are dangerous, especially on steep grassy terrain and where there was an existing snowpack, where you can trigger small slab avalanches. Especially in the high mountains of the Julian Alps, snow fell in places on a moderately hard snowpack; on sufficiently steep slopes, small to medium-sized dry snow avalanches can release spontaneously. In the high mountains, wind-exposed areas are icy in many places, making it dangerous for slipping.



Snow conditions

On Wednesday and overnight into Thursday it snowed, this morning the precipitation has mostly stopped. Mostly 20 to 40 cm of light snow fell, on Pohorje and in the eastern hills less than 15 cm of snow. The snow cover is fairly evenly distributed, with slightly less snow only in the eastern Kamnik-Savinja Alps and Karawanks. During snowfall, a moderate, strong in exposed areas, east to southeast wind blew, transporting snow and building wind slabs, cornices, and slabs on western slopes. Light snow was blown by the wind to the ground in places. It mostly snowed on bare ground, only in the high Julian Alps did snow fall on a hard, sometimes icy, thin snowpack. Western and northwest steep grassy slopes and areas where it snowed on snowpack are more dangerous for slab avalanches. In the high mountains, dry snow avalanches can also release spontaneously on sufficiently steep terrain. Elsewhere in our mountains, avalanche danger is low due to lack of snowpack.



Forecast weather development

Today it will be cloudy and foggy in places. In the eastern Karawanks and on Pohorje there will be occasional light snow. Wind will be light, variable directions, in the high mountains southwest wind, moderate only in exposed places. Especially in mid-mountains it will warm up noticeably during the day. In the afternoon, temperature at 1500 m around -2, at 2500 m -6 °C. On Friday, in hills in the east of the country initially partly clear. Elsewhere mostly cloudy and foggy in places. In the afternoon, snow will start in the western Julian Alps. Southwest wind will strengthen, strong in high mountains in the afternoon. Wind will transport snow and build slabs. Temperature at 1500 m around -2, at 2500 m -5 °C. In the evening it will gradually warm up. Overnight into Saturday, Saturday and Sunday there will be heavy snow especially in the western Julian Alps, where more than 1 m of new snow is expected. Total precipitation will be significantly less towards the east. Above about 2000 m it will snow continuously, in mid-mountains initially snow, on Saturday snow turning to rain, on Sunday with cooling snow again. Precipitation will spread to eastern mountains as well. Thunderstorms possible. Moderate to strong south wind will blow, transporting snow and building slabs.



Trend in snow conditions

In cold weather, the snowpack will remain relatively stable today and tomorrow, danger of triggering slab avalanches mainly on western steep grassy slopes. By the end of the week, due to heavy snowfall and weak layer near the ground, especially in the Julian Alps area, it will SHARPLY INCREASE and most likely initially MODERATE level 3, on Sunday with expected amounts even CONSIDERABLE level 4. Also in mid-mountains, due to warming and transition to rain, danger of wet snow avalanches. Lower avalanche release danger in Kamnik-Savinja Alps and eastern Karawanks, but likely to increase there on Sunday as well.



Next issue: Monday, 7.12.2020



Source: ARSO