Snow conditions 6.12.2021

General avalanche danger level - Monday, 6 December 2021
Danger is 3rd degree on the European five-level scale - CONSIDERABLE.
Main problem: new snow, wind slab
Danger pattern: Cold weather, fresh snow not bonded with wind

Danger assessment
Avalanche danger is above about 1400 m CONSIDERABLE, 3rd degree, lower down mostly MODERATE, 2nd degree. Steep slopes above the forest line are dangerous, where single small dry snow avalanches can release. This especially applies to areas where snow fell on a hard, crusted base. Wind slabs are also dangerous, due to wind of variable direction they can be on all aspects. Wind slabs are covered by new snow, so the danger is hard to recognize. Especially where there is less new snow, you can trigger a slab avalanche under light load.

Snow conditions
On Sunday it snowed in the mountains, further south and in the lower Posočje the snow line initially rose above 1100 m a.s.l. Below around 1300 m the snow was wet, higher up dry. 10 to around 30 cm fell. Initially a southwesterly wind blew, then a northerly to easterly wind, which especially on wind-exposed locations strongly drifted the new snow, new slabs formed. The new snow is light and soft, underneath it there is crust in places. Snow cover down to the valleys.

Forecast weather development
Today during the day it will clear from the west. A weak to moderate wind from the east to north will blow. Temperatures will be below zero. Tomorrow partly clear with occasional moderate cloudiness. A weak to moderate northerly wind will blow. The zero isotherm will rise during the day to around 900 m a.s.l. On Wednesday initially mostly clear, during the day cloudiness will increase from the west. In the afternoon it will start snowing in the Julian Alps and western Karawanks. A southerly and southwesterly wind will strengthen. The zero isotherm will rise to an altitude between 1000 and 1200 m a.s.l. In the night to Thursday precipitation will intensify and on Thursday morning mostly cease. It will cool down.

Trend in snow conditions
Due to cold weather the snow in the mountains will remain dry, only slowly transforming and settling. New wind drifts will form, today and tomorrow especially on locations more exposed to northerly and easterly wind, on Wednesday the southwesterly will be quite strong, so even otherwise more sheltered locations will be wind-exposed. It will warm up somewhat and in lower mid-mountain locations the top layer of snow will settle somewhat. Higher up temperatures will remain below zero. Until Wednesday inclusive avalanche conditions will remain demanding mainly due to wind slabs, the main danger will be slabs. Until Thursday morning we expect especially in the Julian Alps and western and central Karawanks from 30 to more than 50 cm of snow, elsewhere towards the east rapidly less. Wind and new snow will worsen avalanche conditions.

Next bulletin: Wednesday, 8 December 2021

Source: ARSO