Snow conditions 29.12.2014

On Friday and Saturday it snowed in the mountains. The most snow fell in the hills of northern Primorska and in the southwestern part of the Julian Alps, up to about 60 cm, elsewhere from 20 to 40 cm. The snow was dry due to strong cooling. It fell on bare ground or, especially in the high mountains, on a crusty and partly icy base. Strong north wind blew it into drifts.

At 2500 m elevation in the Julian Alps there is snow up to about 140 cm, at 1500 m up to about 60 cm, elsewhere from 20 to about 30 cm. Due to wind, the snow cover depth is quite uneven.

The snowpack is dry and loose. Snow is heavily wind-scoured, on wind-exposed spots down to the ground or old base. On wind-exposed spots in the high mountains the surface is icy in places.

Avalanche danger has increased to 3rd degree in the high mountains where old snow was already present, elsewhere mostly 2nd degree.

The snowpack is potentially unstable, as the bond between old and new snow is poor. In places that were bare, there are quite a few drifts. Especially on steep slopes and spots with wind-blown snow, new snow can avalanche even with minor additional load. Little spontaneous avalanching.



Ahead are days of dry and cold weather, also occasionally windy. The snowpack will hardly settle. It will remain dry and loose, wind will create new drifts. Avalanche risk will persist. On Thursday warmer air will start arriving at elevations, but until Friday temperature will remain below zero.

Next report will be published on Friday, 2.1.2015.



General avalanche danger is 3rd degree on the European 5-level scale.



Source: ARSO