8.04.2016
General danger level
Danger is 3rd degree on the European five-point scale - CONSIDERABLE.
Main problems: wet snow
Risk assessment
Avalanche danger is LOW, 1st degree, but in mid-day and afternoon it INCREASES TO 3rd DEGREE. The snowpack is softened due to high temperatures and somewhat less stable. On clear and calm enough nights, snow freezes mainly in the high mountains and lower in frost hollows, during the day it softens and avalanche danger increases. From steep slopes, individual wet-snow avalanches can release spontaneously, on steep grassy or leaf-covered slopes wet-snow slab avalanches are possible. Snow can be triggered with greater additional load mainly on steeper slopes.
Snow conditions
In the mountains, fairly sunny and warm weather continues, occasionally mainly multi-layered high cloudiness above the summits. The firn line is above the highest peaks. In windy weather, snow did not freeze even at night, except in sheltered spots in the high mountains. Lower down, snow melts quickly, especially on sun-facing slopes. Considerable snow has already avalanched on avalanche terrain, but not all. Especially still quite noticeable. In the Julian Alps at 2500 m from 230 to around 300 cm of snow, at 1500 m from 100 to around 200 cm. Elsewhere in our mountains at 1500 m from 20 to around 70 cm of snow, less towards the east. Significant snow cover starts at around 1000 m a.s.l., on sun-facing slopes above 1200 m. The snowpack is frozen in the morning mainly in the high mountains and in frost hollows, during the day it softens further. Especially lower in the mid-mountains, snow remains softened even at night.
Forecast weather evolution
Today partly clear with occasional increased amounts of high layered cloudiness. In the west, some clouds may form along the ridges. Weak to moderate southwesterly wind, in the afternoon on Pohorje and in the eastern Karawanks southeasterly to southerly wind. There short-lived showers possible. Tomorrow variably cloudy. In the afternoon mainly in the area of the Julian Alps and hills of northern Primorska individual showers will form. Wind mostly easterly, only in the high mountains moderate southerly wind. In the night to Friday it will become cloudy and by Friday morning precipitation everywhere. The snow line will be in the morning at around 1700 m a.s.l., during the day it will drop below 1300 m.
Trend in snow conditions
The snowpack will settle quickly today and tomorrow and melt in the mid-mountains. At night snow higher up and in sheltered spots will freeze, during the day it will soften. In the night to Friday rain will start, by morning it will already be snowing in the high mountains. New snow will likely bond well to the base, but rain lower down will considerably soak the snowpack, which will likely become somewhat more unstable. Today and tomorrow AVALANCHE DANGER FROM MID-MORNING TO LATE AFTERNOON WILL BE GREATER than the rest of the day.
Source: ARSO