Snow conditions in the mountains 12.12.2012

Cold and dry weather continues. In the high mountains on Tuesday a strong northwester was blowing, carrying snow and forming new drifts. In the elevations it warmed up temporarily somewhat, but the air remained dry and changed only slowly.

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

The avalanche danger is mostly level 2. Steeper slopes with wind-deposited snow are dangerous, where an avalanche can be triggered even with minor loading. Spontaneous avalanches are unlikely. Areas with wind-deposited snow are mostly on south and west oriented slopes.

Today it will still be mostly clear and cold. Tomorrow the southwest wind will strengthen, warmer and more humid air will flow in. During the day it will cloud over in the Julians, and the peaks of the Karawanks and Savinja Alps will also gradually be shrouded in clouds. No significant precipitation, possible light snowfall in the afternoon or evening in the western and southern parts of the Julians. On the night to Friday the freezing level will rise above 1000 m, by Friday morning a few centimeters of snow may fall in the western part of our mountains. The southwest wind will carry snow into drifts, the snow cover will settle somewhat and stabilize.

New report will be issued on Friday, 14.12.2012.



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



Source: ARSO