Snow conditions 5.12.2016

General avalanche danger level - Monday, 5 December 2016

Danger level is 1 on the European five-level scale - LOW.

Main problem: wind slab



Risk assessment

Avalanche danger is level 1, LOW. Only wind slab areas on steeper slopes are more dangerous, where under greater additional load you might still trigger a small loose snow avalanche. Ridges are quite wind-scoured and icy in places, and the snowpack is hard and icy in many places otherwise, hence risk of slipping.



Snow conditions

Due to dry and relatively cold weather, the snowpack situation has barely changed. As snow is only in the high mountains, it has not become wet even on sun-exposed slopes due to low temperatures. The snowpack remains relatively stable, hard and icy in places, only in shady areas it is crust-covered in spots, which does not support a person.



Forecast weather development

Dry weather will continue. Currently temperature is mostly slightly below zero, only in mid-mountains is there a shallow layer with temperature slightly above 0°C. It will warm slightly on Tuesday, cool again on Wednesday. Significantly warmer from Thursday onwards, when the freezing level rises above the highest summits. But the air will remain dry.



Trend in snow conditions

The snowpack will remain relatively stable and partly icy, avalanche danger LOW. Risk of slipping will persist due to hard and partly icy snowpack, and on wind-scoured ridges. On Thursday and Friday, with thawing, snow will become wet during the day only in high mountains, but will refreeze at night, making the surface even harder in morning hours.



Next issue: Friday, 9 December 2016



Source: ARSO