Snow conditions in the mountains 1.3.2017

General danger level - Wednesday, 1 March 2017

Danger is level 4 on the European five-level scale - HIGH.

Main problem: new snow, weak layers

Danger pattern: cooling after warm weather / warming after cold



Risk assessment

Avalanche danger above about 1300 m is particularly HIGH in the western and southern parts of the Julian Alps; level 4. Elsewhere in our mountains it is mostly CONSIDERABLE, level 3, and below about 1300 m MODERATE, level 2. Steep slopes and areas with wind-drifted snow are especially dangerous. Spontaneous release of numerous small and also medium-sized, and occasional large new, poorly bonded snow avalanches from steeper slopes is expected. Snow has been considerably drifted by strong wind.



Snow conditions

Until this morning, 40 to about 70 cm of snow fell in the Julian Alps, 20 to 50 cm in the Karawanks and Kamnik-Savinja Alps, and 10 to about 20 cm in the eastern Karawanks. The amount also depends considerably on altitude. At the start of snowfall, the zero isotherm was at about 1400 m. Higher up, the snow was drier and bonded more poorly to the base than lower down, where the base was crusty in places. At the end of precipitation this morning, the zero isotherm temporarily dropped below 1000 m. Initially, strong southwesterly wind transported the snow, which turned northerly and northeasterly overnight. Drifts thus formed on almost all sides of ridges and saddles. The snowpack is soft and loose and sinks deeply.



Forecast weather development

Today it will gradually clear, but cumulus clouds will form during the day and a minor shower is possible. Weak to moderate northerly to northwesterly wind will blow. The freezing level will be at about 1300 m in the afternoon. Tomorrow will be partly clear with occasional increased cloudiness. Moderate westerly wind will blow. It will be warmer than today, freezing level between 1800 and 2200 m, higher in the eastern part of our mountains. On the night to Friday, cloudiness will increase, with light precipitation possible in places.



Trend in snow conditions

Today, the new snow will slowly settle and, under solar influence, mainly crust on sun-exposed slopes; only in shady spots and above about 2200 m will it likely remain dry even in the sun. Wind will still transport snow into drifts on exposed spots, mainly on southern sides of ridges. Tomorrow during the day, due to partly sunny weather and slightly higher temperatures, the snowpack will temporarily become somewhat unstable; on the night to Friday it will refreeze. A crust will form. Spontaneous avalanching from steeper slopes is expected mainly today and tomorrow midday and afternoon. On Friday, due to more cloudy weather, solar influence will be less.



Next issue: Friday, 3 March 2017



Source: ARSO