Snow conditions 6.11.2017

General danger level - Monday, 6 November 2017

Danger is level 2 on the European five-level scale - MODERATE.

Main problem: new snow

Danger pattern: Early winter, surface hoar



Risk assessment

Avalanche danger above sea level around 1400 m is MODERATE, level 2, lower down SLIGHT, level 1.



Snow conditions

On Monday until evening, 20 to 80 cm of snow fell in the mountains, most in the Julian Alps and western Karawanks, also depending on altitude. The snow line indeed dropped especially in the northwest also below 800 m above sea level, elsewhere not below 1100 m. A northeast wind blew, which transported snow into wind slabs on exposed locations. It cooled down, so the temperature in the high mountains was already below zero from the morning. The snow cover is soft and loose. Since it snowed mostly on bare ground, the snow is poorly bonded to the ground especially on grassy slopes. An avalanche can be triggered by greater additional load on steeper slopes, also with rocky ground. We also expect smaller spontaneous avalanches and debris from very steep slopes. In the foothills, there is too little snow to speak of avalanche danger.



Expected weather development

In the coming days, cloudy and cold weather will continue. Occasionally there will be precipitation especially on Tuesday and partly on Wednesday in the east. The snow line will be between 800 and 1200 m above sea level. Wind from eastern directions will transport snow into wind slabs.



Trend in snow conditions

Until Wednesday morning, another 10 to about 30 cm of snow may fall in the mountains. The snow will remain soft and loose in the high mountains for a couple more days. Wind will form new wind slabs on the western sides of ridges and saddles. Gradually the snow cover will settle and also stabilize in the second half of the week.



Next issue: Wednesday, 8 November 2017



Source: ARSO