Significant avalanche danger (level 3) now affects three Swedish mountain areas, up from two in recent forecasts, according to the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency's Lavinprognoser.se. Southern Lapland's west-facing slopes join southern Jämtland (including Åre) and western Härjedalen. Warnings valid until Friday, January 3, at 6 p.m.
The latest forecasts indicate level 3 risk—significant danger where avalanches can be easily triggered by skiers or occur spontaneously—in southern Lapland's mountains on west-facing slopes due to heavy drifted snow over a weak base, especially near the tree line. This escalates from moderate (level 2) risk previously reported.
Southern Jämtland's mountains, including Åre, and western Härjedalen's mountains also remain at level 3, with sensitive wind slabs on steep terrain and persistent slabs on south- and east-facing slopes. As before, avoid steep slopes (>30 degrees) with wind crust.
These updates follow prior warnings for Jämtland and Härjedalen issued December 29. The agency urges caution for all winter activities to prevent accidents.
