Snow conditions in the mountains 16.2.2017

General avalanche danger level - Thursday, 16. 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 cold



Risk assessment

Avalanche danger above sea level around 1500 m is MODERATE, level 2. Steep slopes and places with wind slab are particularly dangerous. No spontaneous slab avalanches expected. The snowpack has settled somewhat and stabilized due to warming, especially on sun-exposed slopes.



Snow conditions

Dry and sunny weather continues. It has warmed up, but the air has remained dry. Therefore, the snowpack has softened during the day only on shaded aspects, froze at night and a crust has formed that supports human weight in places. In the shade, the snow has remained dry and mostly soft. Below the surface snow layer, there is a partly icy layer in places, due to which the upper snow layer is poorly bonded to the base.



Forecast weather development

Today it will be clear and warm, tomorrow it will start clouding over and small precipitation will begin to appear towards the evening.



Trend in snow conditions

The snowpack will mainly soften during the day on shaded aspects and freeze at night. On sun-exposed aspects the snow will mostly remain dry and soft. The snowpack will slowly consolidate, but at places with wind slab it will still be potentially unstable.



Next issue: Friday, 17. 2. 2017



Source: ARSO