Snow conditions in the mountains 11.2.2011

Dry weather continues. The snow line was at an altitude of about 1700 m, rising above 2100 m by this morning.

The snowpack has been transforming slowly. In gullies, snow remained mostly dry or frozen, while on plateaus and south-facing aspects, surface snow softened during the day and froze at night.

In the Julian Alps, up to about 340 cm of snow at 2500 m, about 90 cm at 1500 m. Elsewhere in our mountains, about 15 cm at 1500 m. South-facing slopes are bare in many places almost up to 1500 m. The surface is mostly crusted, holding human weight in the morning but softening during the day. In gullies, powder persists in places, with thinner crusts. On wind-exposed and shaded lower elevations, snow is icy in places.

Avalanche danger is level 1. Slipping risk is highest in the morning and early afternoon, while midday and afternoon on sunny slopes, snow softens and hikers or skiers may slip on thin softened layers.

Today and initially tomorrow, still quite sunny and warm, but cooling in heights tomorrow daytime. Snow line drops below 1200 m by evening. Cloudy, possible 1 cm snow. Sunday mostly cloudy and dry. Snow line temporarily higher, slight cooling Monday night. Monday-Tuesday cloudy, foggy in places, light snow Tuesday.

Due to cloudier weather and lower temperatures, snow transforms slower, remaining mostly frozen even on south slopes.

Next report Tuesday, 15 February.



General avalanche danger low, i.e. level 1 on European 5-level scale.



Source: ARSO