Snow conditions in the mountains 18.3.2011

After heavier precipitation, it was mostly dry on Thursday during the day, only in the Bovec area up to 30 cm of snow fell by this morning, the snow line was above 1500 m, the freezing level around 1900 m. The new snow settled and melted below the snow line. Due to high air humidity, it also transformed faster.

In the Julian Alps at 2500 m up to about 430 cm of snow, at 1500 m up to about 120 cm. Most snow is in the Soča Valley. Elsewhere in our mountains at 1500 m up to 10 cm of snow. The snow is light and soft, below the snow line soaked from rain. There are many drifts.

Avalanche danger in the western Julian Alps and in the Bohinj hills above about 1800 m is 4th degree, the danger is high and general. Spontaneous avalanching from steeper slopes is expected. Elsewhere in our mountains avalanche danger is 3rd degree, only lower where there is little snow it is 1st degree. An avalanche can be triggered by minor loading of the snow cover especially on steeper slopes and at places with wind-blown snow, individual spontaneous avalanches from sufficiently steep slopes are also possible. Lower where it rained, a wet snow avalanche can be triggered on steep slopes.

Today it will still be cloudy and foggy with minor precipitation.

Up to 5 cm of snow can fall, the snow line will be around 1500 m above sea level. On Saturday and Sunday it will be dry and gradually sunnier. On the night to Sunday it will cool down, the freezing level will drop to an altitude of about 1100 m. The north and northeast wind will strengthen, transporting snow into drifts. The snow cover will settle and transform, avalanche danger will gradually decrease somewhat. Due to new drifts, despite the decrease in spontaneous avalanching, the potential danger will remain high especially in the high mountains and in the western Julian Alps. The next report will be issued on Monday, 21 March.



General avalanche danger is 4th degree on the European five-level scale.



Source: ARSO