6.03.2020
The danger level is 3 on the European five-level scale - CONSIDERABLE.
Main problem: new snow, wind-drifted snow
Danger pattern: Cold weather, poorly bonded fresh snow with wind
Danger assessment
The avalanche danger is currently above approximately 1700 m CONSIDERABLE, level 3, and lower where there is still sufficient new snow MODERATE, level 2. Particularly dangerous are areas with wind-drifted new snow, which due to the strong southwesterly wind are mainly on the northern and eastern sides of ridges and saddles. On steeper slopes, smaller slabs of poorly bonded snow can be triggered, and with even minor loading of the snowpack, slab avalanches can be triggered especially in areas with drifted snow. Individual avalanches can release spontaneously from steeper slopes. On wind-exposed spots where the new snow has been scoured to the old base, there is a risk of gliding.
Snow conditions
The snowpack is gradually building up in the mountains. By this morning, 5 to about 20 cm of snow has fallen, depending on altitude, with less also in the eastern part of the Karawanks and Kamnik-Savinja Alps. The snow line is today below about 800 m above sea level, but the new snow is truly dry and light only above about 1500 m above sea level. The layer of new snow is soft and loose, below it is a thicker layer of denser snow. There are many cornices, new wind slabs have formed. Wind-exposed ridges are heavily scoured, especially there the snow is hard and icy.
Forecast weather development
Today it will be initially cloudy and foggy, snowfall will weaken during the day and gradually stop. Initially a southwesterly wind will blow, turning to the north towards evening. Tomorrow it will be initially cloudy, clearing from the north in the afternoon. A light to moderate northerly wind will blow. The snow line will be at about 1200 m above sea level. On Sunday it will be mostly clear. The northerly wind will weaken. On Monday it will be mostly cloudy, summits occasionally in clouds. The wind will be relatively light and variable in direction. It will still be relatively cold.
Trend in snow conditions
There was slightly less new snow by this morning than expected, so the avalanche danger remains CONSIDERABLE, level 3, and will remain so in the high mountains in the coming days. Particularly dangerous will be areas with drifted snow and steeper slopes. On Saturday afternoon, especially on Sunday, sunny weather during the day will also make sun-exposed slopes more dangerous, where the snow will melt and become more unstable. At that time, individual larger avalanches can release from steep southern slopes. On Monday, due to cloudy weather, spontaneous avalanching will be less likely again.
Next issue: Monday, 9.3.2020
Source: ARSO