Snow conditions 8.12.2020

The danger is level 4 on the European five-level scale - HIGH.

Main problem: wind-blown snow, new snow



Risk assessment

The avalanche danger is currently in the high mountains CONSIDERABLE, level 3, and will increase in the afternoon in the Julian Alps to HIGH, level 4. Currently, wind-blown areas are particularly dangerous, where slabs have formed due to strong winds. With additional load from the new snow cover during the day, slab avalanches may release spontaneously. On steep slopes, dry loose snow avalanches will also form spontaneously. Below 1800 m, in the high mountains of the Kamnik-Savinja Alps and in the eastern Karawanks, the avalanche danger will increase to MODERATE, level 3.



Snow conditions

Especially in the high mountains of the Julian Alps, a lot of snow has fallen in the past days. Above 2000 m, the snowpack is 1.5 to almost 3 m thick. Lower down, due to the transition to rain, significantly less snow has fallen, in the mid-mountains mostly around 50 cm. There is also significantly less snow in the area of the Kamnik-Savinja Alps and eastern Karawanks. On Monday, it cooled in the mountains, snow showers and occasional thunderstorms formed. 5 to 15 cm of snow fell, which did not significantly affect the snow conditions. The snow line lowered, so it snowed down to the alpine valleys. A light to moderate southerly wind was blowing in the high mountains. In the high mountains, there are extensive areas with wind-blown snow, which the wind has drifted mainly onto northern and north-western slopes. The snowpack in the high mountains sinks deeply and prevents movement. Especially in the Julian Alps, it snowed more abundantly on Sunday even in the mid-mountains, where the dry snow has bonded relatively well with the older wet snow base.



Forecast weather development

Today it will be cloudy and foggy. In the western part of our mountains, light snow has already started, and in the afternoon, snowfall will intensify and spread elsewhere. In the eastern Julian Alps, it will snow down to the valleys, elsewhere the snow line will temporarily rise to around 1200 m. By Wednesday morning, 50 to 100 cm of snow is expected in the Julian Alps and western Karawanks, about 30 cm in the Kamnik-Savinja Alps and eastern Karawanks. A moderate to strong southerly wind will blow, which will additionally build cornices and wind slabs on northern and western slopes. Temperature at 1500 m around -1, at 2500 m -5 °C. On Wednesday morning there will still be snow, in the afternoon it will weaken and stop in the western part of our mountains. On Wednesday during the day, an additional 5 to 20 cm of snow may fall. A light to moderate easterly wind will blow. Temperature at 1500 m around -2, at 2500 m -6 °C. On Thursday it will remain mostly cloudy and foggy in places. Occasional snow showers will occur. A light southerly wind will start blowing. It will be colder, at 1500 m around -3, at 2500 m -9 °C.



Trend in snow conditions

The avalanche danger in the high mountains of the Julian Alps will be HIGH on Wednesday, level 4. Spontaneous snow avalanches are expected on many slopes. Even in some mid-mountain areas, the avalanche danger will increase to level 3. During the rest of the week, the avalanche danger will decrease. Due to the relatively cold and cloudy weather, the stabilization process will be slowed. The avalanche danger will thus remain CONSIDERABLE, level 3, for a longer time. Due to the unstable and deep snowpack, we advise against visiting the mountains for a while.



Next issue: Thursday, 10.12.2020



Source: ARSO