Snow conditions in the mountains 13.2.2017

General danger level - Monday, 13. 2. 2017

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

Main problem: wind slab

Danger pattern: Cooling after warm weather / warming after frost



Risk assessment

Avalanche danger above about 1500 m elevation is MODERATE, level 2. Steep slopes and places with wind-blown snow are particularly dangerous. Spontaneous avalanching is not expected. The snowpack is potentially unstable due to low temperatures and wind slab, as you can trigger a slab avalanche with greater load on the snowpack.



Snow conditions

At the end of the week, it was dry weather, and especially in the high mountains it was also sunny. Temperature was below zero all the time. The snowpack was only slowly transforming and settling. Below the top snow layer, there is a partially icy layer in places, due to which the top snow layer is poorly bonded to the base. Stronger wind blew last week mainly in the Bovec area, where snow was almost completely blown off exposed spots. Otherwise, the snowpack is mostly soft, only wind has made a crust in places that does not hold human weight.



Expected weather development

Today, except in the high mountains, cloudy and foggy weather will prevail, the cloud top will rise in the morning and lower in the afternoon. Warmer air will flow in, but temperature will remain below zero. From tomorrow onwards, there will be a few days of clear weather. Temperature will gradually rise above zero tomorrow. The freezing level will gradually rise above 2400 m elevation in the afternoon, and in the night to Wednesday above our highest peaks.



Trend of snow conditions

The snowpack will mainly tomorrow in warmer air and sunny weather, especially on sun-exposed slopes, start transforming faster. During the day it will soften, freeze at night and crust will form. On shady slopes, snow will mostly remain dry and soft. The snowpack will slowly stabilize, but at places with wind-blown snow it will still be potentially unstable.



Next issue: Wednesday, 15. 2. 2017



Source: ARSO