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Avalanche warning for region Svalbard vest Monday 22.04.2024

Danger level 4 - High avalanche danger

Published:
Avoid avalanche terrain, including runout zones.

Avalanche problems

Wind drifted snow (slab avalanches)

Avalanches may release spontaneously on many steep slopes. Avalanches can get large enough to bury a car or destroy a small house (size 3).

Buried weak layer of new snow
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Below you can see a description of the current snow cover information and current weather forecast in the mountains. If your observations deviate greatly from what is described here, the warning will not necessarily apply either. Always make your own judgments or stay away from avalanche terrain.

Mountain weather

Monday 22. April 2024

25 mm precipitation, up to 50 mm in the most exposed areas. Rain up to 200 m a.s.l during the afternoon. Strong gale from south, changing to moderate gale from the southwest during the evening. -8 °C to -4 °C at 1100 m a.s.l. Cloudy.

Avalanche risk assessment

The weather forecast says there can be up to 70 mm of precipitation in the region in the next two days, snow above 200 m.a.s.l., and very strong southern winds (more than 20 m/s). There is high uncertainty regarding the stability of the old snowpack due to the lack of field observations. However, further south, in the region of Longyearbyen, there are weak layers in the snowpack that are currently inactive but could be activated with a new additional load. It is not unthinkable that these layers also exist further north, around Ny-Ålesund and northwards. Even without a snow cover with a persistent weak layer, the amount of fresh snow in combination with wind is considered critical. These conditions indicate a high risk of avalanches, and it is recommended that avalanche terrain be avoided.
Avalanche danger scale Important information for ski touring
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