9.02.2023
General danger level - Thursday, 9. 2. 2023
Danger is level 2 on the European five-level scale - MODERATE.
Main problem: wind slab, weak layers
Danger pattern: Cooling after warm weather / warming after cold
Risk assessment
Avalanche danger in the Julian Alps, Karawanks and Kamnik-Savinja Alps above about 1700 m elevation is MODERATE, level 2. Lower down and in some pre-alpine areas (northern Primorska, Polhovgrad Hills and Škofja Loka Hills, Posavje Hills and similar) LOW, level 1. Steeper slopes above the forest line are dangerous, where extensive areas of wind slab are present on numerous aspects. There you can trigger a slab avalanche already under a small additional load. In the old snowpack, now hidden under new snow, weak layers are present on lee slopes that can fail at individual spots under additional load. In transition zones between thinner and thicker snowpack, the danger of triggering an avalanche is increased. Snow and avalanche conditions in the high mountains remain demanding and vary greatly locally.
Snow conditions
It was cold in the mountains this week, snow in the high mountains and shaded mid-mountain locations is still poorly transformed. On the snowpack surface there is crust in many places, formed by wind or daytime thaw and nighttime freezing. Especially above the forest line there are many spots with wind slab, ridges are scoured to the firm base. There are many slabs and deposits.
Forecast weather development
Thursday with more clear weather. Temperature at 1500 m around -7, at 2500 m around -11 °C. Friday slightly warmer and mostly clear. Mostly light northerly to northeasterly wind. Saturday even warmer with some altocumulus cloudiness, at 1500 m elevation around 3°C. Sunday transiently cooler than Saturday. From Monday warmer again - at 1500 m elevation temperatures near 5°C.
Trend in snow conditions
Due to cooling the snowpack has stabilized especially in the mid-mountains. Larger icy surfaces remain, hence slip hazard. In the mountains next week the snowpack will start transforming and settling due to warming. Avalanche danger will increase.
Next bulletin: Monday, 13. 2. 2023
Source: ARSO