Snow conditions 10. 2. 2025

General danger level - Monday, 10. 2. 2025
The danger is level 2 on the European five-level scale - MODERATE.
Main problem: wind-drifted snow
Danger pattern: Cooling after warm weather / warming after cold

Risk assessment
The avalanche danger in the Julian Alps above about 2300 m is MODERATE, level 2, elsewhere LOW, level 1. Steeper slopes with wind-drifted snow are particularly dangerous, where under greater load you can trigger a slab avalanche. Wind-exposed locations are scoured; snow drifts are mainly on northern and eastern sides of ridges and passes and in gullies. The problem is frozen and icy snow surfaces; without appropriate equipment, the probability of slipping is high. Below about 2300 m the snowpack is mostly stable, only in lee locations are there occasional small snow accumulations that can release on steep slopes under load and cause a fall or slip on hard base.

Snow conditions
The snowpack is slowly transforming, more intensively on sun-exposed slopes. In many places on sun slopes the crust is already thick enough to bear our weight. Except for our highest peaks, the bottom snow layer has thoroughly refrozen and withstands heavy loads - even in drifts and on very steep slopes. On the hard base, in sheltered and shadier locations, there is about 20 cm of looser snow in places.

Forecast weather development
Today, on Monday, it is cloudy in the mountains, foggy in the mid-mountains. In the afternoon snow may fall above 1000 m in the Southern and Western Julian Alps, the amount will be small and will not affect snowpack stability. At 1500 m around 0, at 2000 m around -2 °C, wind weak. Similar foggy and cloudy weather will continue until Thursday. On Tuesday it will be slightly colder with -2 at 1500 m and -3 at 2000 m. On Wednesday morning there will be slight precipitation mainly in the Southern Julian Alps. On Thursday during the day probably more sun.

Tendency of snow conditions
Snow conditions will remain similar at least until Thursday. Due to cloudy weather, snow will remain frozen during the day even on sun slopes.

Next issue: Thursday, 13. 2. 2025

Source: ARSO