Snow conditions 20.2.2012

Last Saturday dry weather continued, the zero isotherm rose to around 1500 m above sea level. On Sunday afternoon it started snowing, it cooled down, temperature was below freezing everywhere. By Monday morning, 30 to 50 cm fell in the high mountains of the Julian Alps, 20 to 30 cm of new dry snow in the Kamnik-Savinja Alps. The wind was relatively weak.

The snow cover is soft and loose, in places blown into drifts.

Especially in the high mountains, the new snow has not bonded with the old base.

Especially on the western and southern sides of ridges and passes, extensive areas of wind-packed snow are covered with new snow.

The snow cover still reaches the lowlands. At around 2000 m and higher there is 100 to 130 cm of snow, at 1500 m 60 to 100 cm. Even lower there is snow in places from 20 to 40 cm. Avalanche danger has increased to 3rd degree. Steeper slopes are dangerous, especially places with wind-packed snow that can slide with minor additional load, spontaneous sloughing possible. On scoured spots there is danger of gliding.

Today (Monday) snowfall will stop, in the coming days dry weather. From Wednesday afternoon zero isotherm above 1500 m.

Snow will settle and transform, especially on sun-exposed slopes.

Due to warming, from Wednesday onwards the possibility of spontaneous sloughing will increase.

New report will be issued on Wednesday, 22.2.2012.



General avalanche danger is 3rd degree on the European five-level scale.



Source: ARSO