Snow conditions 18.2.2012

Dry weather continues. It has gradually warmed up.

Temperatures in the mountains were mostly below zero, only on Thursday did it temporarily rise to around 900 m above sea level. The air was relatively dry, so the snow transformed mainly on sun-exposed slopes, where a crust formed. On Wednesday, a strong southwesterly wind blew, on Thursday a strong northerly wind. Therefore, new drifts formed.

The snow cover is soft and loose, in places on sun-exposed slopes covered with crust. On wind-exposed places, snow is blown to a hard, partially icy base. Especially on the western and southern sides of ridges and passes, there are extensive areas of wind-packed snow. In places, old slabs are covered with new snow.

The snow cover mostly still reaches the lowlands. At around 2000 m and higher, there is 70 to 110 cm of snow, at 1500 m about 50 cm. Even lower, there is 20 to 40 cm of snow in places.

Avalanche danger is mostly level 2. Steeper slopes are dangerous, especially places with wind-packed snow that can slide even with minor load. Spontaneous avalanches are mostly not expected. On scoured places, there is a risk of gliding.

Today and tomorrow mostly sunny. Freezing level will rise to around 1400 m above sea level. On Sunday it will cloud over and during the day, especially in the Julian Alps and western Karawanks, it will start snowing. On Monday night and Monday daytime, it will snow elsewhere in our mountains too. 5 to 20 cm of snow will fall. It will bond better to the base than last time, but the current unstable layer will remain under the new snow for a while. During snowfall, avalanche danger will increase to level 3 in places, depending on local new snow amount.

New report will be issued on Monday, 20.2.2012.



General avalanche danger is level 2 on the European 5-level scale.



Source: ARSO