Snow conditions 6.12.2017

General danger level - Wednesday, 6 December 2017

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

Main problem: wind-drifted snow

Danger pattern: Cooling after warm weather / warming after cold



Risk assessment

Avalanche danger is MODERATE, level 2, in most of our mountains above sea level around 1400 m, lower down LOW, level 1. Steep slopes and places with wind-drifted snow are dangerous, where under greater snowpack loading you can trigger a snow avalanche. No spontaneous avalanching expected.



Snow conditions

The snowpack has settled somewhat in the mid-mountains due to warming, a crust is forming on the surface especially on sun-exposed slopes and wind-exposed locations. In gullies and high mountains the snow is mostly still soft. There are many drifts, on ridges and passes the snow is heavily wind-packed.



Forecast weather development

Today mostly clear and warm, freezing level around 2600 m above sea level. Wind will not be strong, mostly westerly or northwesterly. On Thursday clouding in mid-mountains of western and southern Julian Alps and hills of northern Primorska and Notranjska. By evening somewhat cooler and freezing level will drop below 1500 m above sea level. Moderate southwesterly wind. In the night to Friday precipitation will start in the west, spreading on Friday to central, towards evening also to the rest of Slovenia. Snow line between 800 and 1200 m above sea level. Strong southwesterly wind.



Tendency of snow conditions

The snowpack will continue settling and transforming until Friday. On Friday rain below the snow line will wet the snow and therefore individual ground avalanches of wet snow may release from steep grassy slopes. Higher up snow will first be wet, in high mountains dry. Danger of spontaneous avalanching will increase especially on steep slopes. Southwesterly wind will form drifts on eastern and northern sides of ridges and passes.



Next issue: Friday, 8 December 2017



Source: ARSO