Snow conditions in the mountains 8.5.2017

General avalanche danger level - Monday, 8. 5. 2017

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

Main problem: favorable conditions, weak layers

Danger pattern: Spring situation



Risk assessment

The avalanche danger today in the high mountains, above sea level approx. 2000 m, is MODERATE, level 2, lower down LOW, level 1. Especially steep slopes and places with wind-drifted snow are dangerous. During the day the snowpack additionally destabilizes under the influence of the sun on sun-exposed aspects. Tomorrow due to gradual cooling and cloudy weather the danger will everywhere be LOW, level 1.



Snow conditions

The snowpack is transforming and also melting lower down. The snowpack is mostly well transformed, only in shaded aspects it is still somewhat poorly transformed in places with crusty snow. Significant snowpack only in the high mountains above approx. 2000 m, on sun-facing slopes even higher.



Forecast weather development

Tomorrow mostly cloudy and occasionally foggy. Occasional local precipitation. The snow line will mostly be above approx. 1500 to 1700 m, but will lower in the afternoon. The freezing level will gradually drop below 1500 m. On Wednesday during the day warmer air will gradually start to flow in, on Thursday and Friday the freezing level above the highest peaks.



Trend of snow conditions

Avalanche conditions will change only slightly. New snow will likely not affect them. Tomorrow and Wednesday morning due to transient cooling the snowpack will mostly be stable everywhere. On Thursday and Friday however due to warming it will become somewhat unstable again. In the high mountains steep slopes will therefore be somewhat more dangerous again, especially on sun-exposed aspects, where under greater load on the snowpack a wet snow avalanche may release. From steep slopes a slab avalanche of water-saturated snow may also release.



Next publication: Friday, 12. 5. 2017



Source: ARSO