Snow conditions 8.11.2017

General avalanche danger level - Wednesday, 8. 11. 2017

The danger is level 2 on the European five-level scale - MODERATE.

Main problem: new snow, drifted snow

Danger pattern: Early season, ground hoar



Risk assessment

Avalanche danger above about 1800 m is MODERATE, level 2, lower down LOW, level 1. Steep slopes are especially dangerous, particularly grassy and rocky ones and spots with drifted snow. There, with greater load on the snowpack, you can trigger a snow slab avalanche.



Snow conditions

On Tuesday there was occasional snowfall. The snowline was between 800 and 1200 m a.s.l. Up to about 20 cm of new snow fell. On exposed sites, especially in the high mountains, wind created drifts mainly on western sides of ridges and saddles. The snowpack is soft and powdery. The snow has settled somewhat, especially below 2000 m a.s.l.



Forecast weather evolution

Today cloudy and foggy, occasional snowfall mainly in the eastern part of our mountains above about 1100 m a.s.l. Up to about 10 cm of snow possible. Freezing level currently around 1700 m a.s.l., similar tomorrow, on Friday slightly warmer. No strong winds. On Thursday highest peaks may be above clouds, on Friday partial clearing also in mid-mountains in places.



Trend of snow conditions

Today's snowfall will not greatly affect avalanche conditions in the mountains. The snowpack will slowly settle and transform especially below 1800 m. Solar radiation will somewhat influence snow transformation tomorrow in high mountains, more so on Friday as it warms slightly more. Avalanche danger in the high mountains of the Julian Alps and western Karawanks will remain MODERATE, level 2.



Next bulletin: Saturday, 11. 11. 2017



Source: ARSO