Snow conditions 16.3.2015
16.03.2015
The avalanche danger is in the high mountains, especially in shady locations, mostly 2nd degree; elsewhere 1st degree.
The snowpack is fairly stable. An avalanche can only be triggered by greater loading of the snowpack, especially on steeper slopes with wind-deposited snow, particularly in gullies, and sun-exposed slopes are also more unstable in mid-day and early afternoon.
The risk due to wind-deposited snow is especially on shady slopes still primarily due to poor connection between the old, crusty and partially refrozen base and the upper snow layer, whereas on sun-exposed slopes the snowpack becomes somewhat unstable during the day in places with wind-deposited snow due to the influence of the sun or daytime warming.
SNOW CONDITIONS
It was quite sunny in the mountains especially on Saturday, whereas on Sunday there was more cloudiness. On Saturday, under the influence of the sun, the snowpack on sun-exposed slopes and plateaus softened during the day and refroze at night. On Sunday the sun had no significant influence. The freezing level was at around 1000 m a.s.l. In the high mountains and in shady locations the snow remained mostly frozen and dry. The snowpack has additionally stabilized especially on sun-exposed slopes.
The snowpack depth is quite uneven. At 2500 m a.s.l. in the Julian Alps there is about 190 cm of snow, at 1500 m about 100 cm. Elsewhere in our mountains there is somewhat less snow.
Significant snow cover extends mostly up to around 1000 m a.s.l., on sun-exposed slopes higher.
CURRENT STATE OF THE SNOWPACK
The snowpack is mostly covered with a crust that partially bears human weight. During the day snow softens on sun-exposed slopes. In sheltered shady locations in the high mountains the snow is still soft in places, on more exposed locations it is covered with a wind-formed crust. There are many wind drifts and slabs that are still somewhat labile especially in shady locations. Ridges and wind-exposed locations are quite scoured and therefore hard and icy in many places, even bare.
FORECAST WEATHER DEVELOPMENT
Today it will be mostly cloudy, in places in the western part of our mountains above around 900 m there will be occasional light snowfall. Wind will be light and mostly easterly. Freezing level at around 1200 m a.s.l. The snowpack will soften only somewhat in the mid-mountains. Tomorrow it will clear up, no major temperature and wind changes expected.
TENDENCY OF SNOW CONDITIONS
Avalanche danger will not change in the larger part of our mountains. Tomorrow during the day the snowpack on sun-exposed slopes will soften somewhat and refreeze at night, but due to cloudiness not everywhere. In high-mountain gullies snow conditions will remain unchanged. Especially on wind-exposed locations, in the morning and early afternoon also on sun-exposed slopes, there is danger of gliding.
No spontaneous slab release expected.
Next report will be published on Wednesday, 18.3.2015.
Source: ARSO