Snow conditions in the mountains 16.1.2017

Danger is level 3 on the European five-level scale - CONSIDERABLE.

Main problem: wind slab

Danger pattern: Cold weather, fresh snow poorly bonded by wind



Risk assessment

Avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE, level 3, in most of our mountains above about 1000 m elevation. Spontaneous avalanching will be minimal, but an avalanche can be triggered by a minor load on the snowpack ESPECIALLY in areas with wind slab and on steeper slopes, particularly where snow fell on bare, grassy ground. In the mid-mountains and lower hills, only steep grassy slopes where snow fell on bare ground are dangerous.



Snow conditions

Until Saturday night, 25 to more than 70 cm of snow fell in the mountains and hills, more in the high mountains and in the area of the western and southern Julian Alps, in the hills about 10 to 25 cm. In the high mountains the snow was dry throughout, so the bond with the base is poor. At the snow line, which was between 900 and 1300 m and lower, the snow was initially wet and therefore bonded better to the base. Initially a strong southwest wind blew, then winds from the north that drifted snow into deposits. Especially on the south sides of ridges, numerous cornices formed. On wind-exposed locations, the snow cover is heavily scoured and in places covered with a thin crust, elsewhere the snow is still relatively light and soft. Lower down in the hills, on sun-facing slopes a thin crust formed on the snow due to daytime warming and nighttime freezing, in shady locations the snow is soft even to the lowlands.



Forecast weather development

A period of dry or at least mostly dry weather lies ahead. Light snowfall is possible mainly on Tuesday in the southern half of Slovenia, when a few cm of dry snow may fall. Temperatures will be below zero. Today the east to northeast wind will strengthen, weakening on Wednesday.



Trend of snow conditions

Due to low temperatures, the snowpack will settle and transform only slowly. Snow will remain soft, except on wind-exposed locations where a crust may form. The strengthened northeast to east wind will drift snow and form new deposits. Avalanche risk will decrease only slowly. Above all, the possibility of spontaneous avalanching will diminish, while the snowpack will remain POTENTIALLY UNSTABLE.



Next publication: Wednesday, 18.1.2017



Source: ARSO