Snow conditions in the mountains 25.2.2017

General danger level - Saturday, 25. 2. 2017

Danger is 3rd degree on the European five-point scale - CONSIDERABLE.

Main problem: new snow

Danger pattern: Cooling after warm weather / thaw after frost



Risk assessment

Avalanche danger is currently above about 1800 m CONSIDERABLE, 3rd degree, lower down MODERATE, 2nd degree. Steep slopes and windloaded areas are particularly dangerous. In high mountains, the bond between new snow and base is poor. Even minor snowpack loading can trigger an avalanche. Spontaneous slab avalanches of new, poorly bonded snow may release from steep slopes.



Snow conditions

Yesterday to night, 10 to 30 cm snow fell in mountains. Above about 1800 m snow was dry throughout, bonding poorly to base. Lower down it was initially wet, bonding better to base. Snowpack is currently soft and loose. Many windslabs on all aspects.



Forecast weather development

Today sunny. Mountain temperatures below freezing throughout, freezing level around 900 m. Weak to moderate easterly winds. Tomorrow initially mostly clear, then increasing altostratus cloud. Weak winds, moderate westerly to southwesterly in afternoon locally. Warming, freezing level rising to around 2900 m.



Trend in snow conditions

Today snow will sinter slightly only in mid-mountains on sun-exposed aspects; shady aspects and high mountains mostly remain dry. Tomorrow daytime sintering elsewhere except shady high mountain aspects. Snow will settle, crust forming. Due to thaw, snowpack will destabilize somewhat daytime, higher chance of triggering avalanches on steeper slopes and windloaded areas. Night to Monday slightly cooler air inflow, despite cloudier night snowpack stabilizes somewhat.



Next issue: Monday, 27. 2. 2017



Source: ARSO