Snow conditions 17.12.2010

In the cold and dry weather, the snowpack in the mountains has not changed much. The surface crust has strengthened, and the formation of depth hoar was possible especially in cold hollows and gullies.

In the Julian Alps, at 2500 m 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, 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 now mostly holds human weight, above about 2300 m it mostly breaks through. 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 currently 2nd degree in the high mountains, lower 1st degree. In the high mountains, on steeper slopes and sites with wind-drifted snow, small avalanches of partially bonded snow can be triggered under greater additional stress. Lower, the snowpack is stable. Especially on wind-exposed slopes, risk of gliding due to icy surface.

Avalanche danger will increase overnight to Saturday due to snowfall. On mostly crusted base, dry snow will fall that will not bond with the base. Only where there is powder on the crust, the bond will be better. By Saturday morning, 15 to 25 cm of dry snow will fall, which the prevailing easterly wind will largely drift into windslabs. Avalanche danger will increase to 3rd degree. Even more snow, locally over 30 cm, will fall in southern Slovenia. There too, on steep grassy slopes, the possibility of slab avalanches will increase, even at lower elevations. On wind-exposed sites in the mountains, risk of gliding.

Sunday and Monday will be dry. Gradually warmer air will flow in, and on Monday the snowline will rise above 1300 m.

By Tuesday, avalanche danger will slightly decrease.

Next report will be issued on Tuesday, 21 December.



General avalanche danger is considerable, i.e. 3rd degree on the European five-level scale.



Source: ARSO