8.04.2022
General avalanche danger level - Friday, 8 April 2022
The danger is level 2 on the European five-level scale - MODERATE.
Main problem: wind slab, wet snow
Danger pattern: Cooling after warm weather / warming after cold
Risk assessment
Avalanche danger above about 1700 m is MODERATE, level 2, lower down mostly LOW, level 1. Steeper slopes in the high mountains where there is more snow are particularly dangerous. During thawing, spontaneous wet snow avalanches are still possible today, especially in higher areas and also shaded aspects where pronounced thawing will occur only today. Lower down, individual ground avalanches are possible on grassy and sufficiently steep slopes. A strong southwesterly is also blowing, which will build wind slabs in the high mountains on eastern and northern slopes around ridges and passes.
Snow conditions
This time overnight due to moist thawing the snowpack did not refreeze, with the exception of the higher parts of the high mountains. The snow that fell during the last deterioration has already settled considerably and melted in the mid-mountains. The snowpack is due to thawing southern and heavy. More winter-like conditions are only around the higher summits of the high mountains, where dry snow can still be found. Ridges are wind-scoured and icy in places.
Forecast weather development
Today in the western and southern Julian Alps and in the hills of Inner Carniola and northern Primorska it will be mostly cloudy, summits in fog. During the day there will be minor precipitation there, snow line around 2000 m above sea level. Elsewhere initially partly clear, during the day clouds will build up also in other parts of our mountains and hills. Moderate to strong southwesterly wind will blow! Temperature at 1500 m around 5, at 2500 m around 0 °C. On Saturday cloudy and foggy. In the morning only occasional minor local precipitation, in the afternoon a cold front with precipitation and rapid and strong cooling will reach us from the north. Isolated thunderstorms possible. Snow line will quickly drop below 1000 m. Initially strong southwesterly will ease and then strong northerly wind will blow. Morning still warm, afternoon rapid cooling to around -2 at 1500 m, around -8 at 2500 m. On Sunday initially mostly clear, during the day variable lumpy cloudiness forming, high mountain summits occasionally in clouds. Especially in the afternoon possible snow showers. Initially strong northerly, easing during the day. Morning at 1500 m around -5, at 2500 m around -11 °C, warming slightly during the day. On Monday mostly clear. Moderate southwesterly will blow. Warmer. Temperature midday at 1500 m around 2, at 2500 m around -2 °C.
Trend in snow conditions
Today and initially tomorrow wet, southerly and very windy weather in the mountains. The snowpack will be rapidly reduced especially in the mid-mountains. Up to 10 cm of wet snow will fall only on higher summits of the high mountains. Tomorrow expect a very rapid weather turnaround! Around 11 a.m. a pronounced cold front will reach the northern mountains. By evening 10 to 30 cm of dry snow will fall, more in the Julian Alps area. During isolated thunderstorms graupel and soft hail will fall. Moderate to strong northerly will blow, transporting snow and building wind deposits on southern slopes. Avalanche danger above about 1700 m will remain MODERATE, level 2, lower down LOW, level 1. Particular caution required in areas with wind slab. Conditions will not change much on Sunday either. Snow will consolidate somewhat especially on southern mid-mountain slopes. From Monday onwards spring conditions will return. Next avalanche bulletin on Monday, 11.4.2022.
Next issue: Monday, 11 April 2022
Source: ARSO