Western Julian Alps

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.

Wednesday will be cloudy and foggy with showers. The snowfall level will initially be around 800 m above altitudes, but will start to rise in the south during the day. Snow will mainly fall above 1500 m in the middle of the day, with a mix of snow and rain at lower altitudes. There will be moderate to strong south-westerly winds, turning more southerly during the day. The wind will carry snow. Temperatures will be around 1 °C at 1500 m and -4 °C at 2500 m in the middle of the day.

On Thursday, it will snow at first, with a chance of 20 to 30 cm of drier snow. The danger of avalanches will remain high.