Savinja Alps and Carinthia

New fallen snow with wind

New fallen snow with wind

Snowfall in the mountains ranged from 5 to 15 cm over the last two days, with slightly more in the Kamnik-Savinja Alps and the Karavanke Mountains. At the same time, a strong north-easterly wind is blowing, carrying fresh snow and building up new snow layers in the south and west. The new fallen snow is less able to adhere to the older snow base. The danger is higher especially on slopes and in gullies where the height of the New fallen snow is greater due to the snow layers.

In addition to new fallen snow, weak layers in the snowpack deeper in the snowpack are a problem. These weak layers are more numerous in the axis above the forest. In particular, a large avalanche can be triggered if the load exceeds the load-bearing capacity of these layers.

As the weather cooled, the older snow base froze. Dry and light snow has fallen on harder ground and is now carried by the wind. During the snowfall, the local fall of graupel may also have provided a new weak layer. The snow will have already become somewhat thinner on sunny slopes due to the influence of the sun.

In the old snow cover, the layers of snow are mostly well connected, with a Crust on top, which mostly supports the skier's weight. Deep below the surface, there are several weak layers of faceted snow crystals and sheared grains.

Thursday will be fairly clear in the morning and afternoon, with variable clouds forming in the mid-day and afternoon. Peaks and slopes will be occasionally cloudy. A strong north-easterly wind will continue. Temperatures will be around -1 °C at 1500 m and -8 °C at 2500 m.

Friday will be quite clear at first, with some variable cloud in the afternoon. It will be a little less windy. During the day, snow will become lightly crusted on sunny slopes. The danger of avalanches will remain similar.