Snow conditions 1.12.2014

At the end of the week, the weather was mostly cloudy. Occasional precipitation occurred mainly in the western part of our mountains. The snow line was high, the melting line was at around 2500 m above sea level. Therefore, snow melted at lower elevations and completely melted in many places. Only in the high mountains did about 10 cm fall. This morning, the snow line was at around 2500 m above sea level.

At 2500 m above sea level, there is snow up to about 80 cm in the Julian Alps and up to about 30 cm elsewhere in our mountains. With lower sea level, the snow cover thickness decreases rapidly; at 1500 m it is mostly bare.

The snow cover is currently relatively soft and wet, but the situation is changing rapidly.

Avalanche danger is currently level 1, but it is expected to increase to level 2 in the high mountains by the end of the day.

The snow cover has softened due to rain; only above 2500 m is there some new snow, which is well bonded to the base. During the day, the snow line will drop rapidly, and in the high mountains, 20 to about 30 cm of snow is expected to fall, somewhat more in the western Julian Alps. The new snow should bond well to the base, except on the highest peaks where the bond will be weaker. South to east winds will blow the new snow into wind slabs on exposed spots. We expect that in the high mountains of the Julian Alps above about 2300 m above sea level, the avalanche risk will increase to level 2 by evening, elsewhere it will remain level 1.



In the coming days, cloudy and foggy weather will continue in the mountains. Occasional snow flurries are possible here and there, but no more than a few centimeters will fall. Due to low temperatures, the snow cover will settle only slowly. Avalanche conditions will not change much.

The next report will be published on Friday, 5.12.2014.



General avalanche danger is level 2 on the European five-level scale.



Source: ARSO