Snow conditions in the mountains 13.2.2012

At the end of the week there was occasional light snowfall in the mountains. From about 5 to around 20 cm of snow fell, more especially in the eastern part of our mountains. The new snow was very dry and fell on a soft, partly wind-drifted and hard base. Mostly moderate northeast to east wind blew, which drifted the new snow into wind slabs.
<br> It was cold and cloudy.
<br> The snowpack is soft and loose. On wind-exposed sites the snow is drifted to a hard, partly icy base.
<br> Especially on western and southern sides of ridges and passes there are extensive areas of wind-drifted snow. Many old slabs are covered with new snow.
<br> The snowpack reaches the lowlands. At about 2000 m a.s.l. there is 70 to 110 cm of snow, at 1500 m about 50 cm. Even lower there is locally 20 to 40 cm of snow. Avalanche danger is especially above the treeline 3rd degree, elsewhere 2nd degree. Steeper slopes are dangerous, especially sites with drifted snow which can release even under slight loading. Spontaneous avalanches are not expected. On drifted sites there is risk of slips.
<br> Ahead is a longer period of dry or mostly dry weather. In higher elevations warmer air will gradually inflow. Until midweek avalanche conditions will not change much. Temperature will remain below freezing. Snow on sun-exposed slopes will moisten during the day and refreeze at night. Thus a thin crust will start forming. In shaded areas snow will remain dry and unchanged.
<br> New report will be issued on Wednesday, 15.2.2012.
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<br> General avalanche danger is 3rd degree on the European 5-degree scale.
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<br> Source: ARSO