Snow conditions 31.3.2016
31.03.2016
RISK ASSESSMENT
Avalanche danger is MODERATE, level 2.
The snowpack has softened due to the thaw and become somewhat less stable. In sunny weather, snow on sun-exposed slopes softens further during the day. Wet snow avalanches may release spontaneously from steep slopes, and wet snow slab avalanches are possible on steep grassy or leaf-covered slopes. Snow can be triggered by significant additional load especially in areas with wind-blown snow.
SNOW CONDITIONS and CURRENT STATE OF THE SNOWPACK
There has been quite some sunny weather in the mountains, only in the western part of our mountains it was occasionally more cloudy. The freezing level has risen to around 2400 m. In windy weather, snow did not freeze even at night, except in sheltered locations. During the day it froze even on sun-exposed locations in the high mountains, at night it froze there. Lower down snow melts quickly, especially on sun-exposed slopes.
In the Julian Alps at 2500 m there is from 250 to around 340 cm of snow, at 1500 m from 130 to around 260 cm, at 1000 m up to around 10 cm. Elsewhere in our mountains at 1500 m from 40 to around 90 cm of snow, less towards the east. Significant snow cover starts at around 900 m elevation, on sun-exposed slopes even above 1100 m.
The snowpack is currently softened, only in the high mountains and in sheltered locations it freezes at night and softens during the day. In shaded locations of the high mountains, snow is still relatively poorly transformed in places, mostly crusty. On wind-exposed locations snow is quite wind-packed. In the morning, the surface is sometimes hard and icy in the high mountains.
FORECAST WEATHER DEVELOPMENT
Today partly clear with occasional increased cloudiness, quite clear in the east. A fairly strong southwesterly will blow. Similar weather tomorrow too, in the evening the wind will weaken. Freezing level at around 2400 m.
On Saturday initially moderately to mostly cloudy, clearing during the day. Slightly cooler especially below around 2500 m, higher up no major temperature differences.
TENDENCY OF SNOW CONDITIONS
The snowpack will also settle rapidly tomorrow and melt in the mid-mountains. On Saturday night it will freeze, during the day due to slightly lower temperature and initially increased cloudiness it will not soften as much. Avalanche danger will temporarily decrease somewhat.
Next report will be issued on FRIDAY, 1.4.2016 in the morning.
Source: ARSO