Snow conditions 6. 5. 2024

General danger level - Monday, 6 May 2024
Danger is 2nd degree on the European five-point scale - MODERATE.
Main problem: wind slab, wet snow
Danger pattern: Cooling after warm weather / warming after frost

Risk assessment
Avalanche danger is MODERATE, 2nd degree. In higher parts of the high mountains, above about 2200 m, there is some wind-blown snow - there slab avalanches can be triggered. During thaw, wet snow avalanches will still be possible, which can occur very early in the day.

Snow conditions
In recent days, warmer weather has returned to the mountains. The new snow that fell in the high mountains at the beginning of May has consolidated and froze on Sunday morning. Due to cloudy weather, the snow cover did not freeze even in the high mountains tonight. The snow is mostly moist and penetrates at least to the old base. In addition to individual wet snow avalanches, snowbridge collapses can occur.

Forecast weather development
Today, Monday, mostly cloudy and foggy in the mountains. Especially in the Julian Alps area, local precipitation is possible. Moderate wind will blow, in high mountains possibly strong southwesterly. Temperature at 1500 m around 8, at 2500 m around 2 °C. Tomorrow, Tuesday, cloudy and foggy. Precipitation will spread from the west over all mountain ranges by late morning. Thunder possible. Snow line between 2200 and 2500 m. Weak to moderate southerly winds. Temperature at 1500 m around 7, at 2500 m around 0 °C. Wednesday will also be predominantly cloudy and foggy. Local showers will start in the morning, becoming more frequent midday and afternoon. Thunderstorms possible in between. Snow line at about 2400 m. Northeasterly wind will blow. Temperature at 1500 m around 8, at 2500 m around 2 °C. Thursday will clear up, dry. Strengthened northeasterly wind. Temperature will remain similar. Friday cloudy and foggy with frequent precipitation, slightly more in the Eastern Karawanks and Kamnik-Savinja Alps. Snow above 1800 m. Moderate northerly wind. Saturday after cloudy morning partly clearing in places, afternoon possible isolated showers and thunderstorms. Weak easterly wind, zero isotherm at around 2700 m. Sunday morning sunny, but cumulus clouds will form by late morning. Possible shower or thunderstorm. Warmer than Saturday, zero isotherm above 3000 m. Night to Monday strengthened southwesterly bringing moister air, low cloud cover on the Adriatic side of the Alps and Dinaric highlands. Possible drizzle there occasionally. Elsewhere initially some sun, then clouding over during the day. Temperature similar to Sunday.

Tendency of snow conditions
Avalanche danger will remain MODERATE, 2nd degree due to rain, and in higher parts of high mountains also due to snow. From Thursday onwards, danger will gradually decrease. Above about 2400 m, 10 to 20 cm of snow may fall, which wind will quickly blow into drifts on Wednesday and Thursday.

Next issue: Thursday, 9 May 2024

Source: ARSO