5.04.2019
The danger level is 3 on the European five-level scale - CONSIDERABLE.
Main problem: new snow
Danger pattern: Cooling after warm weather / warming after cold
Risk assessment
Avalanche danger is increasing due to snowfall and will already be considerable during the day, LEVEL 3. Steeper slopes above around 1800 m above sea level are particularly dangerous, where new snow may slide.
Snow conditions
Today it is snowing in the mountains, the snow line will probably drop to around 1200 m above sea level during the day. In the high mountains of the Julian Alps, 20 to about 30 cm of snow has already fallen, elsewhere almost nothing. It snowed mostly on a hard or crusty base, so the connection between new and old snow will be poorer in the high mountains, lower down where the snow will initially be wet, no weak layer will form in the snow cover. The snow cover will be soft and loose, the wind will create wind slabs - initially winds from the east, in the afternoon southwesterly.
Forecast weather development
Today cloudy and foggy with precipitation. The snow line will initially be above 1600 m, but will gradually drop to around 1200 m above sea level. Initially winds from the east, in the afternoon southwesterly. It will cool. Tomorrow moderately to mostly cloudy and locally foggy, above around 2200 m there may be more clear skies. Weak westerly to southwesterly wind. On Sunday, precipitation will start appearing again from the south during the day. As warmer air flows in, the snow line will rise again above around 1600 m above sea level. Weak southerly to southeasterly wind. Monday will also be mostly cloudy, with occasional minor precipitation. Freezing level at around 2300 m above sea level.
Trend in snow conditions
Today the snow cover will thicken in the high mountains. In the eastern Karawanks, 10 to 20 cm of snow will fall, elsewhere in our mountains up to 30 cm. Therefore, the avalanche danger will INCREASE during the day. Spontaneous sloughing of new snow from steep high-mountain slopes is expected. New wind slabs will form due to the wind. With warming in the coming days, the snow cover will settle and transform relatively quickly, only above around 2300 m above sea level will the snow remain soft and dry longer due to negative temperatures. Already at the beginning of next week, the avalanche danger will DECREASE.
Next publication: Monday, 8. 4. 2019
Source: ARSO