Avalanche problems in the area
Problem
Persistent weak layer
Height
Above 800 m
Aspect
N - NW
Probability
Unlikely
Size
3
Buried surface hoar and faceted crystals may still be present in the snowpack high in the mountains.
Problem
Wind-drifted snow
Height
Above 800 m
Aspect
E - N
Probability
Unlikely
Size
3
Older slabs may still be present on Southern aspects high in the mountains, but they should strengthen during the warm spell and again as temperatures drop on Monday. New slabs may have formed at the highest elevations in SE winds on Sunday.
Keypoints
Temperatures have risen into the mountains and snow subsited a bit, but avalanches may occur during the warm conditions through Monday. SE winds may have contributed to wind slab formation higher in the mountains, where warming does not sufficiently affect the snowpack. Gradual cooling is expected on Monday, and the snowpack is expected to strengthen as a result.
Snow layers and snow cover
Considerable snowfall occurred in strong N–NW winds, forming wind slabs at the beginning of last week. A snow pit from a NW-facing slope in Skarðsdalur near Siglufjörður, taken on January 14, showed a weakness at the interface between older and more recent wind slabs, with a clean shear at CT12 at a depth of 38 cm. Faceted crystals and cup-shaped crystals were also found above the crust layer, but no fracture occurred there during stability tests. Last Friday, wind slabs formed in NE winds, and several avalanches released during that weather event. On Sunday, warm temperatures reached the mountain summits, and the snowpack should settle and strengthen as a result. However, avalanches cannot be ruled out where weaknesses may still be buried high in the mountains. SE winds may have formed windslabs in NW aspects at higher elevations where the warm temperatures have not affected the snowpack. Late on Tuesday, a small amount of new snow is expected, which will accumulate on western aspects on Wednesday and Thursday.
Recent avalanches
Several slab avalanches occurred at the beginning of last week following NW storms, and several avalanches occurred after NE winds and snowfall toward the end of last week. One avalanche has been reported in the slopes near Grenivík (outside the forecast area) Sunday 18.1.
Weather and weather forecast
Temperatures will drop as Monday progresses. On Tuesday, a small amount of snow is expected, although it will fall as rain at sea level. Easterly winds on Wednesday and Thursday.
Forecast created: 19. Jan 12:07.
Valid to: 22. Jan 00:00.
Thu 15. January
Fri 16. January
Sat 17. January
Sun 18. January
Mon 19. January
Tue 20. January
Today
Wed 21. January
Thu 22. January
Avalanche problems in the area
Problem
Persistent weak layer
Height
Above 800 m
Aspect
N - NW
Probability
Unlikely
Size
3
Buried surface hoar and faceted crystals may still be present in the snowpack high in the mountains.
Problem
Wind-drifted snow
Height
Above 800 m
Aspect
E - N
Probability
Unlikely
Size
3
Older slabs may still be present on Southern aspects high in the mountains, but they should strengthen during the warm spell and again as temperatures drop on Monday. New slabs may have formed at the highest elevations in SE winds on Sunday.
Keypoints
Temperatures have risen into the mountains and snow subsited a bit, but avalanches may occur during the warm conditions through Monday. SE winds may have contributed to wind slab formation higher in the mountains, where warming does not sufficiently affect the snowpack. Gradual cooling is expected on Monday, and the snowpack is expected to strengthen as a result.
Snow layers and snow cover
Considerable snowfall occurred in strong N–NW winds, forming wind slabs at the beginning of last week. A snow pit from a NW-facing slope in Skarðsdalur near Siglufjörður, taken on January 14, showed a weakness at the interface between older and more recent wind slabs, with a clean shear at CT12 at a depth of 38 cm. Faceted crystals and cup-shaped crystals were also found above the crust layer, but no fracture occurred there during stability tests. Last Friday, wind slabs formed in NE winds, and several avalanches released during that weather event. On Sunday, warm temperatures reached the mountain summits, and the snowpack should settle and strengthen as a result. However, avalanches cannot be ruled out where weaknesses may still be buried high in the mountains. SE winds may have formed windslabs in NW aspects at higher elevations where the warm temperatures have not affected the snowpack. Late on Tuesday, a small amount of new snow is expected, which will accumulate on western aspects on Wednesday and Thursday.
Recent avalanches
Several slab avalanches occurred at the beginning of last week following NW storms, and several avalanches occurred after NE winds and snowfall toward the end of last week. One avalanche has been reported in the slopes near Grenivík (outside the forecast area) Sunday 18.1.
Weather and weather forecast
Temperatures will drop as Monday progresses. On Tuesday, a small amount of snow is expected, although it will fall as rain at sea level. Easterly winds on Wednesday and Thursday.
Forecast created: 19. Jan 12:07.
Valid to: 22. Jan 00:00.