Snow conditions 30.3.2015

The avalanche danger is mostly level 2.



The snowpack is already quite stable, the layer of new snow on the old, crusty base is somewhat unstable, and lower down the old snow is soaked to the ground.



The risk is moderate. Spontaneous avalanches are not expected mostly, only from steep slopes can a smaller one still break off. You can trigger an avalanche with greater additional load on the snowpack on steeper slopes and places with wind-blown snow. Below about 1500 m the snow is soaked to the ground, so there individual ground avalanches of wet old snow are possible on steep, mainly grassy or leaf-covered slopes especially midday and afternoon.



SNOW CONDITIONS



In the mountains it was sunny at the end of the week. The snow line was at altitude between 1400 and 1600 m. New snow transformed and settled quickly and has partly bonded with the crusty base. Wind did not form new drifts. A crust formed on the surface. Only in shady and sheltered locations in the high mountains is the snow still soft on the surface somewhere.



The snowpack height is quite uneven. In the Julian Alps at 2500 m altitude up to about 230 cm of snow, at 1500 m up to about 90 cm. Elsewhere in our mountains there is less snow, at 1500 m up to about 40 cm. Significant snowpack extends mostly to altitude around 1000 m, on sun-facing slopes mostly above around 1200 m.



CURRENT STATE OF THE SNOWPACK



The snowpack is mostly covered with crust, on wind-exposed places it is mainly hard, snow blown down to the old base. Below about 1200 m the snow is waterlogged. There are many drifts and slabs. During the day snow softens on sun-facing slopes.



FORECAST WEATHER DEVELOPMENT



Today variable to mostly cloudy, minor local precipitation possible. Similar weather tomorrow too. Snow line at altitude around 2500 m. Tomorrow moderately to mostly cloudy, minor precipitation possible mainly in the afternoon. Moderate to strong westerly wind blowing. On Wednesday it will cool slightly.



TRENDS IN SNOW CONDITIONS



Avalanche danger will be mostly level 2. On sun-facing slopes the snowpack will become somewhat less stable during the day.



Due to cloudier weather the sun will not affect the snowpack state as much as at the end of the week. Transformation will continue, the snowpack will slowly stabilize, especially with cooling on Wednesday.



Next report will be published on Wednesday, 1.4.2015 in the morning.



Source: ARSO