Snow conditions in the mountains 8.2.2017

General danger level - Wednesday, 8. 2. 2017

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

Main problem: new snow

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



Risk assessment

Avalanche danger above about 1400 m is CONSIDERABLE, level 3. Lower down there is less snow, so danger is mostly MODERATE, level 2. Steep slopes and areas with wind-drifted snow are particularly dangerous. Spontaneous releases are calming down and will mostly not occur in the coming days. However, the snowpack is potentially unstable due to wind-drifted snow, as you can trigger a slab avalanche even with minor loading of the snowpack.



Snow conditions

On Monday daytime around 20 cm of snow fell, then until Wednesday morning it was dry and cold. Easterly winds blew, forming wind slabs and cornices especially on southern and western sides of ridges and saddles. Avalanches of new, poorly bonded snow were triggered. The snowpack is mostly soft and powdery.



Forecast weather development

Today there will be some sunny weather mainly above about 2000 m. Lower down it will be cloudy and foggy. Tomorrow the cloud top will be even higher, only the highest peaks above the cloud layer. Temperature will remain below zero. Easterly winds will blow.



Trend in snow conditions

Due to cloudiness and low temperatures the snowpack will slowly settle and hardly transform. Wind will form new slabs. Thus, until Friday morning avalanche conditions will not change much. Spontaneous releases will be less likely. Areas with wind-drifted snow and steep slopes will be particularly dangerous, greater chance for an avalanche in the Julian Alps, where more snow fell in the past days.



Next issue: Saturday, 11. 2. 2017



Source: ARSO