Snow conditions in the mountains 18.4.2017

General avalanche danger level - Tuesday, 18.4.2017

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

Main problem: new snow, favorable conditions

Danger pattern: Spring situation



Risk assessment

Avalanche danger in the Julian Alps above about 2100 m is MODERATE, level 2, elsewhere LOW, level 1. In the high mountains, there is 10 to about 30 cm of new snow, lower down the snowpack is mostly stable.



Snow conditions

Since Friday, in the high mountains, especially in the Julian Alps area, above about 1500 m, a total of 5 to about 30 cm of snow has fallen, which has settled as it fell. Wind has drifted it into windslabs. Lower down it has rained and snow has melted. 0°C has mostly been at elevations between 2000 and 2200 m, occasionally especially in the eastern part of our mountains also lower. By this morning, the zero isotherm has dropped to about 1300 m above sea level. New snow above about 1800 m is soft, lower down there is little of it. On wind-exposed spots, new snow is wind-scoured to the old surface, some windslabs have formed.



Forecast weather development

Today variable to mostly cloudy, summits mostly in clouds. Occasional local precipitation, partly showers. Snow line around 1000 m above sea level, occasionally possibly below 900 m. Amount of new snow mostly small. Tomorrow variable to mostly cloudy, especially in the eastern Karawanks and on Pohorje individual snow showers. Strong northerly wind blowing. 0°C at elevations between 900 and 1000 m. On Thursday and Friday gradually more sunny weather. On Thursday strong northerly wind blowing, somewhat stronger than tomorrow, on Friday it will weaken.



Trend in snow conditions

Today locally up to about 5 cm of snow may fall in the mountains. Otherwise, new snow in the mountains will remain dry, as temperature, except in parts of mid-mountains, will be below zero all the time. Tomorrow and on Thursday northerly wind will strongly scour new snow into windslabs. Therefore in high mountains on steep slopes with wind-drifted snow there is some possibility that on areas where it snowed onto the old surface, new snow may release under higher additional load.



Next issue: Friday, 21.4.2017



Source: ARSO