Snow conditions in the mountains 15.2.2011

Since Friday, there have been no significant precipitation in the mountains. Initially it was warm, then it cooled down and the freezing level dropped below 1000 m already yesterday morning. The snow cover therefore remained frozen.

In the Julian Alps at 2500 m there is up to about 340 cm of snow, at 1500 m up to about 90 cm. Elsewhere in our mountains at 1500 m there is about 15 cm of snow. South-facing slopes are bare in many places almost up to 1500 m. The surface is mostly covered with crust that mostly holds human weight. In shaded areas there is still powder in places, any crust is thinner. In wind-exposed locations and in shaded locations at lower altitudes the snow is icy in places.

Avalanche danger is level 1. Greater is the danger of slips on hard, frozen crust especially at lower altitudes and on south-facing slopes and on wind-scoured places.

Until Friday, cloudy weather will continue. Tomorrow it will snow in the Julian Alps, western Karawanks and by evening also in most of our mountains. On Thursday snowing will stop, occasional snow only in the Julian Alps and western Karawanks. The new snow will adhere poorly to the crusted base. Avalanche danger will increase.

It will depend only on the amount of new snow. The most will be in the western Julian Alps, where up to about 50 cm can fall by Thursday evening, elsewhere from 10 to 30 cm, less in the eastern part of our mountains.

During snowing moderate south to southeast wind will prevail, which will create drifts. By Thursday the avalanche danger is expected to increase to level 3 in the Julian Alps and western Karawanks, elsewhere to level 2.

The next report will be issued on Friday, 18 February.



General avalanche danger is small, i.e. level 1 on the European five-level scale.



Source: ARSO