Snow conditions 25.3.2015

The avalanche danger is currently mostly level 1.



The snowpack is still mostly stable for now. An avalanche can only be triggered by heavy loading of the snowpack, especially on steep shady slopes.



The risk is relatively low. Only occasionally can a wind slab release under load on the snowpack, especially on shady slopes due to poor connection between the old, crusted and partially icy base and the upper snow layer.



SNOW CONDITIONS



The weather in the mountains was quite sunny. The freezing level rose from 1300 m on Monday to Tuesday to sea level around 1800 m, where it remained this morning. A light to moderate wind from the east directions was blowing, which did not affect avalanche conditions. The snowpack južila (melted on the surface) on sun-exposed slopes during the day, but remained frozen and dry in shaded locations and areas with cloud cover.



The snow depth is quite uneven. In the Julian Alps at 2500 m altitude there is up to 190 cm of snow, at 1500 m around 100 cm. Elsewhere in our mountains there is less snow, around 50 cm at 1500 m.

Significant snow cover extends mostly to sea level around 1100 m, higher on sun-exposed slopes.



CURRENT STATE OF THE SNOWPACK



The snowpack is currently still covered with a crust that partially bears human weight. There are many wind drifts and slabs. Ridges and wind-exposed locations are quite scoured and therefore mostly hard and icy, even bare.



FORECAST WEATHER DEVELOPMENT



Today it will be cloudy. Precipitation will gradually spread from the southwest towards the north during the day. Tomorrow afternoon they will weaken, with local showers still occurring. On Friday morning they will renew. The snow line will initially be at sea level around 1400 m today and will slowly rise. Tomorrow it will probably snow above around 1800 m, and on the night to Friday it will cool and with possible precipitation snow above around 1000 m. Probably 20 to around 40 cm of snow will fall in the Julian Alps and western Karawanks, elsewhere 10 to 15 or 20 cm. During snowfall, a moderate south to southwest wind will initially blow, which on Friday morning will turn to the north and strengthen. The wind will form drifts on the north and east sides of ridges and passes, on Friday it will transport snow to the south and west side. The new snow will also bond poorly with the crusted base.



SNOW CONDITIONS TREND



Avalanche danger will still be low today. Overnight and tomorrow the avalanche risk will significantly increase especially in the Julian Alps and western Karawanks, elsewhere somewhat less due to smaller amount of precipitation. Lower down, where it will rain, the snowpack will become wet, higher up the new snow will increase the risk.



No spontaneous sloughing today yet. But already tomorrow new snow can slide from steep slopes, lower where it will rain the snowpack will become saturated and on steep slopes wet slab avalanches of old saturated snow will be possible. Numerous drifts and slabs will also form, which will represent a potential hazard for hikers and ski tourers in the future.



The next report will be published on Friday, 27.3.2015 in the afternoon.



Source: ARSO