4.01.2016
RISK ASSESSMENT
Avalanche danger is 1st degree.
The snowpack is stable.
Risk is low. No spontaneous slab avalanches.
SNOW CONDITIONS and CURRENT STATE OF THE SNOWPACK
Despite recent snowfall there is very little snow in the mountains, as it hardly snowed in some places. Up to around 10 cm of dry snow has fallen in the mountains, which the wind has completely blown off on exposed terrain in many places. The snowpack is mostly loose and soft, but in places covered with crust formed by daytime melting and nighttime freezing, or hard. It is cold, temperature below freezing for several days.
In the mountains from 0 to around 10 cm of snow, up to around 20 cm in places in the Julian Alps.
FORECAST WEATHER DEVELOPMENT
Today cloudy with light snowfall ending in the evening. Up to around 5 cm snow possible in mountains, perhaps max 10 cm somewhere. Moderate westerly to southwesterly wind blowing, which will transport new snow into windslabs on exposed terrain.
Overnight temporarily partly clearing, tomorrow morning or forenoon clouding over again. Afternoon snowfall resumes, ending in evening hours. Again up to around 10 cm snow possible. Warmer air arriving, so possible surface hoar or ice below around 1400 m in places. Weak wind mainly southwesterly.
Wednesday cloudy and foggy, occasional snow showers. Freezing level at elevations between 1000 and 1400 m.
TENDENCY OF SNOW CONDITIONS
New snow is light and soft, also today dry snow will still fall. Tomorrow mainly in mid-mountain ranges snow will wet due to thaw and settle somewhat and start transforming faster. Higher up it will remain dry and light, settling only little. Wind will transport it into windslabs. Slightly increased possibility to trigger avalanche at places with drifted snow, especially if old snowpack underneath. Mainly on wind-exposed terrain danger of slips on old snowpack.
Source: ARSO