Snow conditions in the mountains 6.2.2017

General hazard level - Monday, 6. 2. 2017

Hazard is level 3 on the European five-level scale - CONSIDERABLE.

Main problem: new snow, wind slab

Danger pattern: Cold weather, poorly bonded fresh snow with wind



Risk assessment

Avalanche danger has increased due to new snow and is CONSIDERABLE, level 3 in most of our mountains above sea level around 1200 m. Lower down there is less snow, so the danger is mostly MODERATE, level 2. Steep slopes and places with wind slab are particularly dangerous. We expect spontaneous release of numerous small and medium-sized avalanches, individual larger avalanches are also possible. The snowpack is also potentially unstable, as even with minor snowpack loading you can trigger an avalanche of poorly bonded fresh snow, and in places with wind slab also a slab avalanche.



Snow conditions

Until this morning, 30 to about 70 cm of snow has fallen in our mountains. More snow fell in the western and southern part of the Julian Alps mainly above sea level around 1200 m, less new snow lower down and elsewhere in the mountains. Below around 1500 m the snow was mostly wet and bonded better to the base than higher up, where it was dry. The southwest wind drifted it into wind slabs. Since it snowed in several successive intervals, the new snow has already settled somewhat simultaneously. Avalanches of new, poorly bonded snow have released.



Forecast weather development

Today it will be cloudy, snowfall will weaken and mostly stop overnight, some precipitation will still occur in southern and southeastern Slovenia. The snow line will fluctuate mainly depending on the intensity of precipitation, but will mostly be above around 800 m above sea level. Tomorrow and in the coming days it will be dry, but quite cloudy and occasionally foggy in the mountains. Low cloudiness will prevail, so peaks may be above the clouds for longer periods. Temperature will remain below zero all the time. Mostly winds from eastern directions will blow.



Tendency of snow conditions

Until tomorrow morning, probably another 10 to 20 cm of snow, which will fall mainly in the eastern and central part of our mountains, in the west there will be little. Due to low temperatures, the snowpack will settle and transform only slowly, the east wind will drift fine snow into wind slabs and deposit it on the western sides of ridges and saddles. Avalanche danger will not change until mid-morning, but on a longer term it will slowly decrease. Main dangers will be wind slab and steeper slopes.



Next issue: Wednesday, 8. 2. 2017



Source: ARSO