Savinja Alps and Carinthia

The current snowpack pattern is uncommon and requires special attention and caution!

New fallen snow has hidden old traps.

Even a small additional load can trigger a medium-sized avalanche near ridges and other typical leeward locations with blowing snow. Chain avalanches are also possible, where the triggering of a small clast of freshly blown snow causes the collapse of old Weak layers in the snowpack! In some places, the additional load (blowing snow) will naturally trigger cluster avalanches.

Up to 50 cm of snow fell over the weekend on a thin, old snow base, which was covered with a crust and cut in many places. The new fallen snow covered the old snowpack and did not bond well with it. The snow was blowing in a south to south-easterly wind. New snowdrift accumulations have formed, which naturally put additional stress on the old snow cover, which has deep, persistent weak layers. On Monday, the new fallen snow has become heavier, especially in the mid-mountains, and will freeze overnight.

Tuesday will be quite clear at first. In the afternoon, the south-westerly wind will start to strengthen, bringing clouds to the coastal side of the Julian Alps and the Dinaric Mountains. Towards the evening, clouds will start to appear elsewhere, with peaks increasingly cloudy. A moderate westerly to south-westerly wind will blow, bringing snow in exposed places. Temperatures will be around -1 °C at 1500 m and -5 °C at 2500 m.

The south-westerly wind will strengthen considerably on Tuesday afternoon and will be able to tolerate light snow! Showers will start to appear on Wednesday night. On Wednesday, we can expect heavier showers with wind! The snowfall level will be around 1300 m above altitudes. The danger of avalanches will increase rapidly during the day on Wednesday.