Snow conditions 30.4.2012

At the end of the week, the weather was sunny and very warm. Even on the highest peaks, the temperature did not drop below zero and the snow cover froze only briefly at night. A thin crust formed on the surface in the high mountains. The snow cover settled, transformed and melted.

Consolidated snow cover reaches up to an elevation of around 1500 m, but there is little snow there. The snow cover in the high mountains is mostly covered with a thin crust at night and in the morning, but softens during the day.

Lower down, the snow is wet and soft. Especially on the northern and eastern sides of the ridges, there is considerable wind-drifted snow. Total snow depth at 1500 m elevation is around 20 cm, and at 2500 m in the Julian Alps up to around 210 cm. Avalanche danger is 2nd degree in the high mountains, 1st degree lower down. Steep slopes and places with drifted snow are particularly dangerous, where an avalanche can be triggered by minor additional stress. Lower down, individual wet snow slab avalanches are still possible. They are expected mainly on steeper southern-facing slopes during midday and afternoon.

Sunny weather will continue mostly sunny, but occasionally there will be more clouds especially in the west. The snow cover will continue to settle and melt. Some day a shower may also occur. The snow cover will become somewhat unstable during the day.

New report will be issued on Friday, 4.5.2012.



General avalanche danger is 2nd degree on the European five-level scale.



Source: ARSO