9.03.2020
Danger level is 3 on the European five-level scale - CONSIDERABLE.
Main problem: wind slab, wet snow
Danger pattern: Spring situation
Danger pattern: Cooling after warm weather / warming after frost
Risk assessment
The avalanche danger is currently above about 1700 m CONSIDERABLE, level 3, and lower where there is still enough new snow MODERATE, level 2. Especially dangerous are places with drifted new snow, which due to the strong southwesterly wind are mainly on northern and eastern sides of ridges and saddles. On steeper slopes, smaller loose snow avalanches can be triggered, and with minor loading of the snowpack, especially at drifted snow locations, slab avalanches can be triggered. Individual avalanches can also release spontaneously from steep slopes. On wind-exposed locations where new snow is scoured to the old base, there is a risk of gliding.
Snow conditions
In the high mountains there is plenty of snow, below about 1500 m there is rapidly less snow. Snow conditions vary. On sunny aspects, a crust has already formed on the surface, while in shaded aspects the snow is still powdery. There are many wind drifts, new slabs have formed. Wind-exposed ridges are heavily scoured, especially there the snow is hard and icy.
Forecast weather development
Today mostly cloudy. Initially cloud bases high above peaks, afternoon and evening peaks occasionally in clouds. Weak northerly winds, wind will slowly strengthen in the afternoon. Freezing level currently at about 1700 m elevation, but lower there is still a shallow colder layer. In the afternoon slightly warmer air will flow in lower down. Tomorrow initially quite clear, but clouding over during the day. Freezing level at about 1600 m. In the morning moderate northerly wind, which will weaken during the day and turn westerly in the afternoon. Wednesday and Thursday quite clear. Relatively weak westerly to southwesterly wind. It will warm up, freezing level will rise to the height of the highest peaks on Wednesday and higher on Thursday.
Tendency of snow conditions
Today and tomorrow avalanche conditions will not change much, snow will settle a bit more. Due to prevailing cloudiness, the sun will have little influence, only in the mid-mountains will snow become wet and melt lower down. On Wednesday and Thursday, due to sunny weather and warmer air mass, there will be a pronounced DAILY CYCLE of snow and avalanche conditions. At night and in the morning snow will be frozen and more stable, during the day the snowpack will become wet and destabilize, especially on sun-exposed aspects. Midday and afternoon may see individual wet snow avalanches on southern slopes, and in shaded aspects slabs will release more quickly under snowpack loading.
Next issue: Wednesday, 11. 3. 2020
Source: ARSO