7.03.2016
AVALANCHE RISK ASSESSMENT
Avalanche danger is above about 1500 m elevation in the Julian Alps and in the western and central Karawanks at level 4, below about 1500 m and in the rest of our mountains at level 3.
New snow is mostly poorly bonded to the base. Spontaneous avalanching of numerous small and also medium-sized avalanches is expected. Even with minor snowpack loading you can trigger an avalanche. Steep slopes and places with wind-packed snow are particularly dangerous.
SNOW CONDITIONS and CURRENT STATE OF THE SNOWPACK
From Friday until this morning it snowed quite frequently. 20 to about 70 cm of snow fell, even more in the western Julian Alps where precipitation was highest. The snow line fluctuated between about 500 and 900 m above sea level. Higher up, strong wind occasionally blew mainly from south and southwest directions. Temperature in the mountains was always below zero, with little sun.
In the Julian Alps and western Karawanks at 2500 m there is 350 to about 400 cm of snow, at 1500 m 250 to about 310 cm, at 1000 m 30 to about 60 cm. Elsewhere in our mountains at 1500 m 100 to about 160 cm of snow, less towards the east. Significant snow cover starts at about 600 m above sea level. Snow is light and soft and sinks deeply. There are many drifts especially on south sides of ridges and passes. On wind-exposed sites snow is quite wind-packed.
FORECAST WEATHER DEVELOPMENT
Today it will be cloudy, occasionally snowing above about 600 m above sea level. Up to tomorrow morning up to about 10 cm of snow can fall. Weak to moderate wind mainly south to southeast, in the afternoon also northeast directions will blow.
Tomorrow also cloudy and foggy, occasionally during the day light precipitation somewhere with somewhat higher snow line than today. Only a few cm of snow may fall. Wind weak, only in high mountains moderate southwest wind.
In the night to Wednesday precipitation will temporarily slightly intensify and mostly cease by morning. Snow line will lower again to about 400 m above sea level. Not much new snow, expected at most 5 to 10 cm. Moderate wind from eastern directions will start.
TENDENCY OF SNOW CONDITIONS
Snowpack will settle slowly, but due to low temperatures and cloudy weather it will hardly transform. Until midweek due to cloudy weather sun will not affect snow transformation. Wind will mainly in high mountains transport snow and form new drifts.
Today and tomorrow above about 1500 m elevation avalanche danger will remain at level 4. By Wednesday morning snow will have settled enough, also blown off steeper slopes and not much new snow, so danger will decrease. Below 1500 m no major changes expected by Wednesday morning.
Next report will be issued on WEDNESDAY, 9.3.2016 morning.
Source: ARSO