Snow conditions in the mountains 21.4.2017

General avalanche danger level - Friday, 21. 4. 2017

Danger is level 2 on the European 5-level scale - MODERATE.

Main problem: wind slab

Danger pattern: Spring situation



Risk assessment

Avalanche danger in the Julian Alps above about 2100 m is MODERATE, level 2, elsewhere LOW, level 1. The snowpack is mostly stable, only in places with wind-blown snow, especially on southern sides of ridges, there is a lot of wind slab from the last snowfall. There you can trigger a slab avalanche. Where the new snow is wind-scoured, the base is hard and there is risk of slips.



Snow conditions

Strong northerly wind yesterday and the day before made numerous wind slabs especially on southern slopes. This snow is poorly bonded to the base due to low temperatures and also due to cloudy weather in the past days. On wind-exposed locations, the new snow is almost completely scoured to the old, hard and partly icy base.



Forecast weather development

Tomorrow morning mostly clear, in the afternoon moderately cloudy from the north. Already today warmer air has started arriving at altitudes, tomorrow 0 degrees at about 2100 m. Mostly light southwesterly wind will blow. On Sunday variable to mostly cloudy, summits occasionally in clouds. Minor precipitation will not significantly change avalanche conditions. Slightly cooler, freezing level at altitudes between 1400 and 1700 m. On Monday partly clear in the eastern part of our mountains, elsewhere mostly cloudy and foggy. Southwest wind.



Trend in snow conditions

Snow that fell in the past days has softened somewhat today under sunny weather on southern slopes, it will freeze overnight. Tomorrow it will transform faster with warming and in sunny weather, gradually the new snow will bond to the old base. On Sunday due to lower temperature and more cloudy weather the snowpack will remain fairly stable. Similar on Monday.



Next issue: Monday, 24. 4. 2017



Source: ARSO