Snow conditions 25.1.2016

RISK ASSESSMENT



Avalanche danger is mostly low, grade 1, but there is a risk of slipping primarily on wind-exposed terrain.



The snowpack is mostly stable. Only in the high mountains is it still possible in places on steep slopes and where there is wind-blown snow to trigger a small avalanche with a large additional load on the snowpack.





SNOW CONDITIONS AND CURRENT SNOWPACK STATE



Towards the end of the week, it gradually warmed up. Already on Saturday during the day, the layer between about 1200 and 1800 m warmed to around 0 degrees or slightly above zero, on Sunday it was somewhat warmer, and by this morning the layer with positive temperatures is from 600 to 1600 m. The air was and remains quite dry especially in the high mountains, so despite the thaw, the snow did not settle much or transform faster. In the mid-mountains there was more moisture, but very little snow.



Snowpack depth is very uneven. The most snow is in the high Julian Alps, up to about 100 cm. Elsewhere in the high mountains there is up to about 30 cm of snow or even less. Significant snow cover reaches sea level altitude of about 1200 m, but there is very little snow below about 1800 m. The snow surface is mostly covered with crust that in places supports human weight. In some gullies, especially in sheltered terrain, it is still soft. There is considerable wind-blown snow, on wind-exposed terrain the snow is quite scoured, in places down to bare or old, partly icy ground.



FORECAST WEATHER DEVELOPMENT



Dry or mostly dry weather will continue. Today it will be moderately to mostly cloudy, a little precipitation may fall in the eastern part of our mountains. Moderate to strong northerly winds will blow.



Tomorrow there will be somewhat more sun, but in the eastern part of our mountains there will be quite a few low stratus clouds. The wind will weaken and shift to westerly and southerly directions.



Until Friday it will be mostly dry. From midweek it will cool slightly, or the temperature reversal will not be so pronounced.



SNOW CONDITION TRENDS



The snowpack will slowly transform, the surface crust will strengthen, partly due to wind, partly mainly on sun-facing slopes due to sun exposure primarily in the positive temperature layer. Avalanche conditions will not change much by Friday.



The next report will be issued on Friday, 29.1.2016 in the morning.



Source: ARSO