Snow conditions in the mountains 30.1.2017

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

Main problem: wind-blown snow, new snow

Danger pattern: Snowfall after a longer period of frost

Danger pattern: Cold weather, fresh snow not bonded with wind



Risk assessment

Avalanche danger is MODERATE, level 2, in most of our mountains above about 1800 m elevation. No spontaneous slab avalanches are expected, but an avalanche can be triggered by a large additional load on the snow cover MAINLY at wind-blown snow locations and on steeper slopes, especially those where snow fell on grassy or leafy ground cover. Lower down, danger is LOW, level 1.



Snow conditions

The old snowpack is heavily wind-packed, on sun-exposed slopes mostly covered with a thin crust, in shady locations soft. There are many slabs.



Forecast weather development

Tomorrow, precipitation will occur in the Julian Alps area, a little also in the western and partly central Karawanks, elsewhere mostly dry. The snow line will rise and in the afternoon mostly between 600 and 900 m above sea level. Precipitation. On Wednesday, mostly dry in the area of our mountains, precipitation expected mainly in southwestern, southern and partly central Slovenia. Southwest wind will blow.



Trend in snow conditions

Below the snow line, the snowpack will settle and melt, higher up mainly on sun-exposed slopes snow will fall on a crusty base, so new snow will bond poorly to the base there. In gullies, the connection between old and new snow will be better. The southwest wind will form wind slabs on northern and eastern sides of ridges and saddles. Avalanche danger is expected to increase slightly on steeper sun-exposed slopes where at least 10 cm of snow will fall. Mainly dangerous will be locations with wind-blown new snow, and also old covered slabs.



Source: ARSO