Snow conditions in the mountains 13.1.2012

Since midweek, the weather in the mountains has been dry and fairly sunny. The snow line was at about 1600 m above sea level. The air was dry, so during the day the snow cover softened only on sun-exposed slopes and froze at night. In gullies, the snow remained dry.

The condition of the snow cover varies greatly. In sheltered areas, the snow is soft in places, but mostly covered with a crust elsewhere. In some places, it supports human weight. There are many wind slabs and slabs, while on wind-exposed sites the snow is heavily scoured, with a hard base that is icy in places. The snow cover starts at about 1300 m above sea level, and in gullies at about 1000 m. In the Julian Alps, there is up to about 120 cm of snow at 2500 m above sea level, and up to about 60 cm at 1500 m. Elsewhere in our mountains, there is up to about 30 cm at 1500 m. The avalanche danger is mostly 1st degree, and 2nd degree in the high mountains where there is slightly more snow. Wind-loaded areas and steep slopes are dangerous. There, with greater load on the snow cover, you can trigger an avalanche. No spontaneous avalanches are expected. On scoured areas, there is a risk of slips.

Dry weather will continue. Today, colder air is arriving and the snow line will drop to about 800 m above sea level by evening. It will remain this cold at least until next Tuesday. It will be sunny until Monday, then clouds will start to appear. The snow cover will remain dry and frozen and will transform only slowly. In the high mountains, due to low temperatures and dry air, conditions for deep slab formation will prevail especially in cold spots and gullies.

The new report will be issued on Wednesday, 18.1.2012.



The general avalanche danger is moderate, i.e. 2nd degree on the European five-level scale.



Source: ARSO