7.02.2022
General danger level - Monday, 7.2.2022
Danger level 1 on the European 5-level scale - LOW.
Main problem: wind drifted snow
Danger pattern: cooling after warm weather / warming after cold
Risk assessment
Avalanche danger is mostly LOW, level 1. Particularly on wind-scoured and icy areas, there is a high GLIDING RISK. The snowpack is mostly stable. Only on steep shaded high mountain slopes are there isolated spots with individual old slabs that could release under high load. Caution also in areas with fresh wind drifted snow, which will form during the day mainly on southern and eastern slopes, where small slab avalanches can be triggered.
Snow conditions
In the mountains, snow conditions have not changed significantly by the end of the weekend. The snowpack has softened during the day in lower and mid elevations, freezing at night. Last night, with strengthened southwest wind, there was occasional light snow or light rain, and rime or hard hoar formed in places. Early this morning, a cold front passed, the snow line dropped below 1000 m. It snowed briefly, with up to 5 cm of new snow. Now the north to northwest wind is strengthening, transporting fresh snow. With little new snow, only small slabs are forming on northern and eastern slopes. Some light snow will remain only in very sheltered spots. The snowpack will remain hard, crusty or heavily wind transformed due to cooling. Wind-exposed areas are scoured, even to bare ground. Snowpack height is modest for this time.
Forecast weather development
This morning it will partly clear. In the afternoon, isolated snow showers, summits occasionally in clouds. In the morning, very strong northerly winds, which on exposed sites even in mid-mountains and lower hills can exceed 100 km/h. In the afternoon, the wind will ease slightly. Colder. Temperature at 1500 m around -4, at 2500 m around -12 °C. Tuesday mostly clear, on Pohorje and eastern Karawanks occasionally moderately cloudy in the afternoon. Moderate north wind initially, strengthened on the east and high mountains, easing during the day. Warmer air will flow in. Temperature at 1500 m in the afternoon around 0, at 2500 m around -4 °C. Wednesday initially moderately cloudy, clearing in the morning. Weak westerly wind. Very warm. At 1500 m around 8 midday, at 2500 m around 4 °C.
Trend in snow conditions
Snow conditions will not change significantly today. The snowpack will remain mostly stable. Small slabs will form in lee areas, but will not significantly affect avalanche danger. Some caution is still needed in gullies where more drifted snow may accumulate. Tomorrow, the snowpack on sun-exposed slopes will soften slightly during the day. With pronounced warming, daytime thaw will be more noticeable on Wednesday, when the snowpack in mid-mountains will also melt, freezing at night. Gliding risk will remain HIGH, decreasing on sun-exposed slopes only on Wednesday daytime. Next avalanche bulletin on Wednesday, 9.2.2022.
Next issue: Wednesday, 9.2.2022
Source: ARSO