Snow conditions in the mountains 10.12.2012

In the night to Saturday and during Saturday it snowed. At low temperature the snow was dry and light everywhere. Strong wind drifted it into drifts. The amount of new snow varied considerably.

The least snow fell in the northwest regions, only from 5 to around 10 cm, elsewhere from 10 to more than 50 cm, as much as fell in places in southern Slovenia and on part of Pohorje. On Sunday during the day the snow cover settled slightly, north and northwest wind however continued forming drifts in the high mountains.

The snow cover reaches the lowlands. In the Julian Alps and western Karawanks there is snow from 20 to around 50 cm, above around 2000 m up to around 130 cm. Elsewhere in our mountains the snow cover is thick from 20 to around 60 cm. The snow is heavily wind-packed, in places to the old base or even to bare ground. There are many drifts and slabs, extensive areas of drifted snow. The snow is dry and in sheltered spots light and soft, but in many places covered with a crust formed by the wind.

Avalanche danger is 3 in the high mountains, 2 elsewhere in the mountains. Steeper slopes with drifted snow are dangerous, where an avalanche can be triggered already with minor load.

Spontaneous avalanches are little probable. Areas with drifted snow are mostly on south and west oriented slopes.

Today it warmed slightly at elevations, but temperature will remain below zero. However at slightly higher temperature the snow cover below 2000 m will nevertheless settle and transform a bit faster.

Weak to moderate north to northwest wind will blow, which will at wind-exposed places still carry snow into drifts. Tomorrow it will be colder again, the coldest air will be over us in the night to Wednesday and on Wednesday during the day. Avalanche conditions will not change much.

New report will be issued on Wednesday, 12.12.2012.



General avalanche danger is 3 on the European five-level scale.



Source: ARSO