Snow conditions 13.1.2016

AVALANCHE RISK ASSESSMENT



Avalanche danger in the high mountains of the Julian Alps above about 2100 m is still considerable, 3rd degree, elsewhere above this altitude 2nd degree, lower down and elsewhere in our mountains low, 1st degree.



In the high mountains the snowpack is still loose and poorly bonded, elsewhere mostly stable. Due to wind, snow is heavily wind-packed, there are many wind slabs. The risk is considerable in the high mountains. From steeper slopes numerous small and also individual medium-sized avalanches of new, unbonded snow can release. Even with minor additional loading of the snowpack you can trigger an avalanche. Lower down and in the eastern part of our mountains there is too little snow for the risk to increase. Below about 2200 m there is locally a risk of slipping due to partly icy surface.





SNOW CONDITIONS and CURRENT STATE OF THE SNOWPACK



There has been no precipitation since Monday. The freezing level was on Monday at about 1900 m above sea level, today it has dropped below 1700 m. The snowpack in the high mountains has settled slowly. A moderate westerly wind has been blowing, transporting snow into wind slabs at wind-exposed locations.



Snowpack depth is very uneven. The most snow is in the high mountains of the Julian Alps, up to about 150 cm. Elsewhere in the high mountains there is up to about 50 cm or even less. Significant snow cover extends down to about 1500 m in the Julian Alps, elsewhere a bit higher.



FORECAST WEATHER DEVELOPMENT



Today mostly dry and slightly colder weather. Moderate northwesterly wind.



Tomorrow morning mostly sunny. In the afternoon clouding over. Towards evening and in the night to Friday light snowfall. By Friday morning possibly up to about 5 cm of snow, less in some places, more in the hills between Snežnik and the southwestern part of the Julian Alps. Southwesterly wind, which will form wind slabs on the northern sides of ridges and passes.



TENDENCY OF SNOW CONDITIONS



The snowpack in the high mountains will only settle and transform slowly. Northwesterly wind will transport snow today and form new wind slabs. Tomorrow evening and in the night to Friday there will be too little new snow to affect avalanche conditions. Due to high air humidity, however, the snowpack will settle and transform somewhat faster and thus stabilize slowly. Avalanche risk will decrease only slowly. From tomorrow onwards no spontaneous avalanching expected in most cases. However, you can trigger an avalanche already with minor loading of the snowpack. Steeper slopes and places with wind-packed snow are particularly dangerous, and there are quite a few of them. Below areas with snow cover, the surface is locally icy and there is a risk of slipping.



Next report will be issued on Friday, 15.1.2016



Source: ARSO