Snow conditions 29.1.2016

RISK ASSESSMENT



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



The snowpack is mostly stable. Only in high mountain areas might small avalanches be triggered on steep slopes and areas with wind-packed snow under high additional load on the snowpack.





SNOW CONDITIONS AND CURRENT SNOWPACK STATE



During the week, weather was dry or mostly dry. Occasionally southwest wind blew. It was occasionally more cloudy mainly in the west, at night and this morning also elsewhere. Air was mostly dry in high mountains. Temperature was mainly above zero, only on the highest peaks it remained below freezing. The snowpack continued to transform, below around 2000 m on southern slopes it also melted and disappeared.



Snowpack depth is very uneven. Most snow is in the high mountains of the Julians, up to around 100 cm. Elsewhere in high mountains, snow depth is up to around 30 cm or even less. Below around 1800 m there is very little snow, only in the Julians at 1500 m around 20 cm. Snow surface is covered with crust or is hard, the crust mostly supports human weight. In some gullies, especially in sheltered areas, snow is still soft. On wind-exposed terrain, snow is quite wind-packed, sometimes down to bare or old, partially icy ground. There are many snowdrifts.



FORECAST WEATHER DEVELOPMENT



Dry or mostly dry weather will continue. Today it will partly clear up, weak westerly or northwesterly wind will blow.



Tomorrow southwest wind will strengthen again and will be quite strong. Cloudy and foggy in the western and central parts of our mountains, where only the highest peaks might be above the clouds. Occasionally a drop may fall. In the eastern Karawanks and on Pohorje it will be partly clear.



On Sunday strengthened southwesterly wind will still blow. More clouds also in the eastern part of our mountains. A drop or snowflake possible everywhere. It will temporarily cool slightly, freezing level will drop to around 1700 m above sea level on Sunday morning.



SNOW CONDITION TREND



The snowpack will slowly transform. Below around 2000 m snow will continue to decrease slowly. With slight cooling on Sunday, it will freeze in high mountains and harden further.



Next report will be issued on Monday, 1.2.2016 in the afternoon.



Source: ARSO