Conditions in the mountains 15.12.2010

Dry and cold weather continues. Temperatures are quite low, so the snow hardly transforms. In particular in cold hollows and shady locations, the formation of depth hoar is possible.

In the Julian Alps, at 2500 m there is about 320 cm of snow, at 1500 m about 100 cm. Elsewhere in our mountains, at 1500 m about 30 cm of snow. At 1000 m altitude, it is bare in many places, elsewhere up to about 20 cm of snow. The snow cover is crusted, on the crust up to 15 cm of powder snow, which is completely wind-blown in many places. The crust holds human weight in places. Especially on wind-exposed sites, the surface is icy. In lee areas above 2300 m, the snow has remained softer in places.

Avalanche danger is 2nd degree in the high mountains, lower it is 1st degree. In the high mountains, small avalanches of partially bonded snow can be triggered on steeper slopes and at sites with wind-drifted snow under additional stress. Lower, the snowpack is stable. Especially on wind-exposed slopes, there is risk of gliding due to the icy surface.

Dry and cold weather will continue. A moderate, occasionally strong northerly wind will blow. The snowpack will remain mostly stable. The surface crust will strengthen. There will still be risk of gliding due to the hard and partly icy base.

Next report will be issued on Friday, 17 December.



General avalanche danger is moderate, i.e. 2nd degree on the European five-level scale.



Source: ARSO