Snow conditions in the mountains 5.5.2017

General avalanche danger level - Friday, 5 May 2017

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

Main problem: wind slab

Danger pattern: Spring situation



Risk assessment

The avalanche danger is MODERATE, level 2, in the high mountains above approx. 2000 m a.s.l., and LOW, level 1, lower down. Steep slopes and areas with wind slab are particularly dangerous. During the day, the snowpack becomes additionally unstable under the influence of the sun on sun-exposed aspects.



Snow conditions

The snowpack is transforming and also melting at lower elevations. It freezes at night if the weather is at least somewhat clear. The old snowpack is well transformed and relatively hard, the newer snow on top is still less transformed and crusty, or soft in more overcast weather. There are quite a few drifts especially on northern and eastern aspects. In the high mountains, some caution is needed especially on steep slopes and in places with wind slab, where under greater additional stress you can trigger an avalanche. Primarily, a layer of newer snow can slide on the old base.



Forecast weather development

Variable weather continues with occasional, local precipitation. In the high mountains, a few centimetres of snow have thus fallen in places, lower down it is sleet. The snow line has risen to around 2100 m a.s.l. and will rise a little higher during the day. Tomorrow there will be more sunny weather and it will be somewhat warmer. On the night to Sunday, precipitation will start to appear from the west, which will mostly cease by Sunday morning. In the afternoon, there will still be local showers. The snow line will mostly be at 2200 m a.s.l. 10 to max 20 cm of snow can fall.



Trend in snow conditions

Avalanche conditions will not change much today. There will be too little local precipitation for a major change, and due to mostly cloudy weather, solar radiation will also not affect the snowpack. Tomorrow there will be sunny and relatively warm weather, so the snowpack will soften during the day especially on sun-exposed aspects. Since the snow has become soaked to the ground in places, a wet snow slab avalanche can be released from steep slopes. Otherwise, the snow will be more unstable on sunny slopes than on shady ones. On Sunday, around 10 cm of snow will fall in the mountains above around 2200 m, which can slide on steep slopes under greater additional stress. Moderate north wind will create some drifts on the southern sides of ridges.



Next issue: Monday, 8 May 2017



Source: ARSO