Snow conditions in the mountains 1.4.2011

Sunny and relatively warm weather continues. The snowline has risen to an altitude of 2500 m by this morning. The snowpack has settled and metamorphosed over the past days and melted lower down as well. Overnight it refroze.

In the Julian Alps there is up to about 380 cm of snow at 2500 m, and up to about 90 cm at 1500 m. The most snow is in Posočje. Elsewhere in our mountains, snow at 1500 m is mostly only in gullies. Sunny slopes are bare even higher up. Snow in the high mountains is mostly covered with a crust that does not bear human weight. Lower down, snow is frozen in the morning but softens during the day.

Avalanche danger has slightly increased due to the warm weather and is 2nd degree, 1st degree where there is little snow. An avalanche can be triggered by significant additional stress on the snowpack especially on steeper slopes and areas with windblown snow. South-facing slopes are also more dangerous around midday and in the afternoon.

Especially in the morning there is also a risk of slipping on windpacked areas.

Today and over the weekend as well, sunny and warm weather. Snow will continue to metamorphose, settle and melt. At night snow will freeze, during the day it will soften. Avalanche conditions will not change much. Towards noon and in the afternoon the snowpack will be more labile, especially on sunny slopes.

The next report will be issued on Monday, 4 April 2011.



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



Source: ARSO