Snow conditions 9.12.2022

General danger level - Friday, 9 December 2022
Danger is level 2 on the European 5-level scale - MODERATE.
Main problem: wet snow, new snow, wind-drifted snow
Danger pattern: Rain

Risk assessment
Avalanche danger is currently mostly MODERATE, level 2, but due to snowfall in high mountains is INCREASING. The snow line is rising slightly further, therefore below around 1700 m mainly on steep grassy slopes today smaller wet snow avalanches, also full-depth ones, may release. Above around 2000 m new snow is accumulating, strong southwesterly wind forms wind slabs and cornices.

Snow conditions
The snow cover in lower elevations is soaked by rain and therefore unstable. Higher up new snow is accumulating, wind forms drifts. Especially above around 2000 m the snow is mostly dry and bonds poorly to the base, which is mostly soft. Besides wet snow lower down, the main danger in high mountains are loose dry snow avalanches (klože), on steep slopes also individual avalanches of poorly bonded snow possible, but mostly not of large extent.

Forecast weather development
Today, Friday, precipitation will cease in evening hours, snow line will remain high. Tomorrow morning mostly dry in mountains, only in Snežnik area precipitation may already appear. In the afternoon precipitation from south will reach also the alpine part of our hills and mountains. Snow line will drop rapidly, cooling. In the morning still southwesterly wind, in the afternoon southeasterly to northeasterly wind. Snowfall will cease by Sunday morning. From Saturday evening to Sunday evening strengthened northerly wind will blow, strongest along ridges of Karawanks and Kamnik-Savinja Alps. In the night to Monday wind will weaken, clearing up. Cold.

Trend of snow conditions
Tomorrow's precipitation in alpine part will not be much, expected 10 to 20 cm snow. Due to cooling snow higher up will remain dry, strong wind will form numerous wind slabs and build cornices. Below around 1700 m much less new snow, with cooling wet snow will also partly refreeze. On Sunday and start of the week avalanche conditions will not change much. Main danger will be loose dry snow avalanches, initially also new unbonded snow on steep slopes in high mountains. Lower down may be icy in places. In high mountains of Julian Alps avalanche danger expected CONSIDERABLE, level 3, elsewhere and lower in Julian Alps LOW or MODERATE.

Next issue: Monday, 12 December 2022

Source: ARSO