5.03.2018
General danger level - Monday, 5. 3. 2018
Danger is level 2 on the European five-level scale - MODERATE.
Main problem: wind slab, weak layers
Danger pattern: Cold weather, unbonded fresh snow with wind
Risk assessment
Avalanche danger is mostly MODERATE, level 2. Steep slopes and areas with wind-drifted snow are especially dangerous. There, under greater snowpack loading, you can trigger an avalanche. Spontaneous avalanching is unlikely.
Snow conditions
Due to increased moisture and slightly higher temperatures, the snowpack has settled and transformed a little faster; Sunday's sunny weather also contributed somewhat. The snowpack is still mostly soft and powdery in shady spots, but on southern slopes and plateaus there is a thin crust on the surface, and in places a wind-formed crust. Wind-exposed locations are heavily scoured and can therefore be hard. There are many slabs.
Forecast weather development
Today and tomorrow, cloudy and foggy weather will prevail, with occasional light snow in places, somewhat more pronounced overnight into Tuesday. Up to about 10 cm of snow will fall. Wednesday will be mostly cloudy, with the sun occasionally breaking through especially in the eastern Karavankas and high mountains. It will be warmer, with 0 degrees at around 1400 m elevation. The snow will therefore ripen somewhat, and slabs will become somewhat more unstable. Thursday will be fairly sunny.
Trend in snow conditions
The snowpack will slowly settle and transform. There will be too little new snow to change the avalanche conditions. Tomorrow and Wednesday, the southwest wind will drift it into drifts. On Wednesday, due to slightly higher temperatures and increased solar radiation, the snow will ripen, and slabs will become somewhat more labile. Especially on Thursday, with sunny weather, individual wind slab avalanches may release spontaneously from steep slopes. Avalanche danger will therefore SLIGHTLY INCREASE.
Next issue: Wednesday, 7. 3. 2018
Source: ARSO