Snow conditions in the mountains 10.11.2023

General avalanche danger level - Friday, 10 November 2023
The danger is level 1 on the European 5-level scale - LOW.
Main problem: wind-blown snow, new snow
Danger pattern: Cooling after warm weather / warming after frost

Risk assessment
Avalanche danger in the high mountains is LOW, level 1. Some caution is required in areas with wind-blown snow. New snow mostly does not present additional danger, but it has covered some smaller cornices and icy slopes, making the danger harder to recognise. On wind-exposed locations, the surface is icy, so caution is needed due to the risk of slipping.

Snow conditions
On Thursday before the deterioration, a strong southwest wind was blowing, which in places in the high mountains transported small amounts of snow. In the past hours, it snowed in the mountains, the snow line was mostly above sea level around 1600 m. Towards the end of the precipitation, it lowered somewhat. 5 to 30 cm of snow fell, the most in the high mountains of the southern Julian Alps. During snowfall, a weak to moderate southwest wind blew. The snow in the high mountains is dry and light, very exposed places are scoured. Below 2000 m above sea level, the snow is increasingly wet. In higher locations of the high mountains, the total snowpack height is around 50 cm, but the height is quite uneven due to various influences. With lower sea level, the snowpack height decreases rapidly.

Forecast weather development
Today (Friday) cloudy and foggy weather will prevail. In the afternoon, clouds may temporarily break, especially in the high mountains, some showers may form. The wind will weaken. In the evening and night to Saturday, there will be precipitation again. The snow line may drop below 1000 m above sea level in some places. 5 to 10 cm of snow may fall. On Saturday morning or midday, it will partially clear. In the afternoon, a strong northwest wind will blow, which may transport light snow over larger areas of the high mountains. Temperature at 1500 m around 0, at 2500 m around -8 °C. On Sunday, presumably dry, clouding up again. Moderate wind from westerly directions. Slightly warmer. On Monday, clouds will change, windy. Noticeably warmer, temperature at 1500 m around 3, at 2500 m around 0 °C.

Tendency of snow conditions
Snow conditions in the mountains will not change significantly. Due to the wind on Saturday, we expect new cornices to form in the high mountains on eastern and southern sides. In the mid-mountains, the new snow will freeze overnight to Sunday and melt slowly during the day. Melting will be somewhat more pronounced on Monday when it warms up. Icy surfaces will still pose the greatest danger due to the risk of slipping. At places with wind-blown snow, care is needed because wind-blown snow may slide under your feet.

Next issue: Monday, 13 November 2023

Source: ARSO