Avalanche problems in the area
Problem
Persistent weak layer
Height
Above 400 m
Aspect
N - NW
Probability
Possible
Size
3
Surface hoar and faceted crystals have been observed in weak layers in snow pits. The temperature gradient has now decreased, and the conditions for further faceting are now limited.
Problem
Wind-drifted snow
Height
Above 200 m
Aspect
N - NW
Probability
Likely
Size
3
Old wind slabs may still be present in isolated locations. Last week, southerly winds dominated, and significant loading has accumulated on NE-facing slopes. From Wednesday 11.3, to Friday, considerable slab formation can be expected on south- and west-facing aspects.
Keypoints
A southwest storm has eroded wind slabs that were present on most aspects and transported large amounts of snow. Today, Wednesday March 11, and continuing until Friday, a rather strong N–NW wind with considerable snowfall is forecast. Significant snow accumulation and slab formation can be expected on south-facing aspects, and avalanche danger is likely to increase as a result.
Snow layers and snow cover
Recently a SW storm has eroded wind slabs that were present on most aspects and transported large amounts of snow. An avalanche crossed the Siglufjarðarvegur road in this drifting snow around noon on Saturday, 7 March. On Friday, a brief thaw reached almost to the mountaintops, but temperatures have now dropped again. Most areas now have hard crust or breakable crust. The temperature gradient in the snowpack appears to have decreased, which should have slowed the faceting of crystals in the weak layers, although these layers are likely still present above roughly 400 m. Today, March 11, and continuing until Friday, N–NW winds with considerable snowfall and periods of blizzard conditions are expected. Significant snow accumulation and slab formation are anticipated on south-facing aspects, and avalanche danger is likely to increase as a result.
Recent avalanches
An avalanche fell over the road north of Siglufjörður town in extreme SW-winds and snowdrift today Saturday 7.3. Quite a few slab avalanches have released in SW-winds with heavy snowdrift lately (and once in NW-winds) all over the area. Most of them with thin crowns but quite wide.
Weather and weather forecast
Snowfall or snow showers in N–NW winds of 6–14 m/s over the next few days.
Forecast created: 11. Mar 14:36.
Valid to: 14. Mar 00:00.
Wed 4. March
Thu 5. March
Fri 6. March
Sat 7. March
Sun 8. March
Mon 9. March
Tue 10. March
Wed 11. March
Today
Avalanche problems in the area
Problem
Persistent weak layer
Height
Above 400 m
Aspect
N - NW
Probability
Possible
Size
3
Surface hoar and faceted crystals have been observed in weak layers in snow pits. The temperature gradient has now decreased, and the conditions for further faceting are now limited.
Problem
Wind-drifted snow
Height
Above 200 m
Aspect
N - NW
Probability
Likely
Size
3
Old wind slabs may still be present in isolated locations. Last week, southerly winds dominated, and significant loading has accumulated on NE-facing slopes. From Wednesday 11.3, to Friday, considerable slab formation can be expected on south- and west-facing aspects.
Keypoints
A southwest storm has eroded wind slabs that were present on most aspects and transported large amounts of snow. Today, Wednesday March 11, and continuing until Friday, a rather strong N–NW wind with considerable snowfall is forecast. Significant snow accumulation and slab formation can be expected on south-facing aspects, and avalanche danger is likely to increase as a result.
Snow layers and snow cover
Recently a SW storm has eroded wind slabs that were present on most aspects and transported large amounts of snow. An avalanche crossed the Siglufjarðarvegur road in this drifting snow around noon on Saturday, 7 March. On Friday, a brief thaw reached almost to the mountaintops, but temperatures have now dropped again. Most areas now have hard crust or breakable crust. The temperature gradient in the snowpack appears to have decreased, which should have slowed the faceting of crystals in the weak layers, although these layers are likely still present above roughly 400 m. Today, March 11, and continuing until Friday, N–NW winds with considerable snowfall and periods of blizzard conditions are expected. Significant snow accumulation and slab formation are anticipated on south-facing aspects, and avalanche danger is likely to increase as a result.
Recent avalanches
An avalanche fell over the road north of Siglufjörður town in extreme SW-winds and snowdrift today Saturday 7.3. Quite a few slab avalanches have released in SW-winds with heavy snowdrift lately (and once in NW-winds) all over the area. Most of them with thin crowns but quite wide.
Weather and weather forecast
Snowfall or snow showers in N–NW winds of 6–14 m/s over the next few days.
Forecast created: 11. Mar 14:36.
Valid to: 14. Mar 00:00.