Snow conditions in the mountains 3.5.2017

General avalanche danger level - Wednesday, 3 May 2017

The danger is level 2 on the European 5-level scale - MODERATE.

Main problem: wind slab, new snow

Danger pattern: Spring situation



Danger assessment

Avalanche danger in the high mountains, above approx. 2000 m, is MODERATE, level 2, lower down LOW, level 1. Steep slopes and places with wind-packed snow are especially dangerous. During the day, the snowpack additionally destabilizes under the influence of the sun on sun-exposed aspects.



Snow conditions

It was relatively cold in the mountains at first. Until the end of April, the freezing level was at elevations between 1400 and 1600 m. On the 30th, it gradually warmed during the day and slightly above 0°C even on the highest peaks. The snowpack settled and transformed, potentially unstable snow had already avalanched from steep slopes. In the night to Tuesday, 2 May, there was transient snowfall again, but mostly above 1800 m elevation. In the high mountains, especially in the Julian Alps area, up to about 10 cm of snow fell, which did not significantly change the avalanche conditions. Transiently it cooled slightly. The snow is mostly crusted, as it melted during the day and froze at night.



Forecast weather development

Today and in the coming days, the weather will be changeable. Today, minor local precipitation will occur mainly in the eastern Karawanks and on Pohorje, tomorrow in a larger part of our mountains. Similar on Friday. The amount of precipitation will be negligible. It will warm up a bit more, the freezing level will rise above 2200 m, on Saturday even above the highest peaks. Saturday will be the sunniest. Sunday will be cloudy with precipitation. The snow line will be around 1800 m elevation. 10 to 20 cm of snow may fall.



Tendency of snow conditions

The snowpack will settle and transform today until Saturday and also ablate. At night it will mostly freeze, during the day it will melt. In the high mountains, avalanche danger will remain at level 2, the snowpack will be somewhat more unstable midday and in the afternoon in sunny weather, when individual small wet snow avalanches may release from steep slopes (the snowpack will become soaked to the ground). On Sunday, avalanche danger in the high mountains will increase slightly again due to new snow.



Next issue: Friday, 5 May 2017



Source: ARSO