Snow conditions 22.11.2013

From Monday, cloudy weather prevailed, with occasional precipitation. In the high mountains, up to about 30 cm of snow fell, which settled somewhat in the process. The snow line dropped to around 500 m above sea level in some places by today, but snow persisted mostly above about 900 m. The freezing level was initially at around 2500 m and descended during the week, today it is at about 1200 m.

In the high mountains of the Julian Alps there is about 100 cm of snow, at 1500 m up to 30 cm. More snow in the Julian Alps. The snow cover depth is uneven. Old snow is heavily wind-packed into drifts, new snow is more even. The snowpack is mostly stable, avalanche danger is grade 1.

From today until Sunday evening, it will frequently snow in the mountains. The snow line will be today between 400 and 700 m, tomorrow it will rise to 700 to 1100 m, on Sunday it will drop again to about 500 m. Total up to 30 to about 80 cm of snow can fall, which will settle in the process.

Moderate wind mostly from eastern directions will blow, transporting snow into drifts. Avalanche danger will increase and tomorrow afternoon it will presumably be grade 3 mainly in the high mountains.

On the night to Monday, a strong northerly wind will blow and it will cool noticeably. The wind will transport snow and on exposed ridges it can almost completely blow it away, extensive hard slabs will form. Due to low temperatures it will hardly transform.

The next report on the snowpack will be published on Monday, 25.11.2013.



General avalanche danger is grade 2 on the European five-degree scale.



Source: ARSO