Snow conditions in the mountains 18.1.2017

General avalanche danger level - Wednesday, 18. 1. 2017

The danger is level 2 on the European five-level scale - MODERATE.

Main problem: wind slab

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



Risk assessment

Avalanche danger is MODERATE, level 2, in most of our mountains above sea level around 1100 m. Spontaneous avalanching is mostly not expected, but a snow avalanche can be triggered by greater load on the snowpack ESPECIALLY at places with wind slab and on steeper slopes. Lower down, below around 1100 m, the danger is LOW, level 1.



Snow conditions

Occasionally light snow fell between Inner Carniola and Lower Carniola and White Carniola, while in the mountains it was mostly dry. Strong winds from eastern directions blew, transporting snow into drifts. Due to low temperatures, the snowpack hardly transformed. Snow is heavily scoured on wind-exposed sites, locally compacted by wind. Otherwise, the snowpack is mostly soft and dry, locally on sun-exposed slopes, especially in mid-mountains, there is a thin crust in places.



Forecast weather development

Until Friday it will be dry, temperatures below zero. Easterly winds will weaken on Thursday and on Friday will no longer significantly affect the snowpack conditions. Cloudiness will gradually decrease, but due to low temperatures the sun will not significantly influence snowpack transformation.



Trend of snow conditions

Due to low temperatures, the snowpack will settle and transform only slowly. Snow will mostly remain soft, compacted on wind-exposed sites. Avalanche risk will decrease only slowly, the snowpack will remain POTENTIALLY UNSTABLE.



Next bulletin: Friday, 20. 1. 2017



Source: ARSO