Snow conditions in the mountains 10.3.2017

General danger level - Friday, 10. 3. 2017

Danger is level 2 on the European five-level scale - MODERATE.

Main problem: wind-drifted snow

Danger pattern: Cooling after warm weather / warming after frost



Risk assessment

Avalanche danger is above about 1400 m MODERATE, level 2, lower down mostly LOW, level 1. The snowpack moistens towards noon and in the afternoon due to the sun's influence on southerly slopes, causing the surface layer to become somewhat unstable. Steep slopes and wind-drifted snow areas on all sides of ridges are particularly dangerous, northern slopes are generally more hazardous where snow is poorly transformed. On wind-exposed sites, the snowpack is locally hard and partly icy, hence risk of slips.



Snow conditions

In recent days, snow has settled and transformed considerably especially on shady aspects, with cooling it has firmed up somewhat today. Strong northerly wind today redistributes snow into drifts mainly in gullies and high mountains. The snowpack is mostly crusted, in high-mountain gullies still mostly soft and dry, on wind-exposed aspects strongly wind-packed, locally quite hard due to wind.



Forecast weather development

Today partly clear with variable cloudiness, brief snow showers forming. Strong northerly wind. Zero isotherm around 1500 m. Wind weakens somewhat by tomorrow morning, more so tomorrow forenoon, then only slightly strengthened above about 2200 m. Tomorrow sunny, zero isotherm at 1600 to 1800 m. Sunday in western Julian Alps and western Karawanks fairly sunny, elsewhere considerable low cloud with summits between 2000 and 2400 m. Weak easterly wind, moderate northerly in high mountains. Slightly colder than Saturday. Monday mostly sunny. No major temperature changes.



Trend in snow conditions

Snow will continue transforming and settling, especially on southerly aspects. During day snow moistens except in shade and refreezes at night. Crust strengthens, in high-mountain gullies snow may remain soft. Avalanche conditions change little until Monday.



Next issue: Monday, 13. 3. 2017



Source: ARSO