Snow conditions in the mountains 18.3.2013

After a mostly sunny Friday and sunny Saturday, it was cloudy on Sunday, only the higher peaks were above the clouds for a while.

A southwesterly wind blew, carrying snow in the high mountains. It was cold, temperatures below zero at all altitudes. The snow froze during the day only on sun-exposed slopes of the mid-mountains, higher up and in shady areas it remained dry and frozen. On Monday night it started snowing, by morning 5 to 15 cm of snow fell, the least in the eastern part of our mountains.

At 2500 m in the Julian Alps there is currently around 360 cm of snow, at 1500 m up to 220 cm and at 1000 m around 70 cm. Elsewhere in our mountains at 1500 m 70 to 120 cm, at 1000 m up to around 30 cm. Conditions are changing rapidly.

The snow cover is mostly soft and loose, only on wind-exposed locations it is wind-packed to the old hard base in places.

There are many drifts and slabs.

Avalanche danger is mostly 3rd degree, below around 1000 m 1st degree. Especially steeper slopes and places with wind-blown snow above around 1200 m are dangerous, where with minor load you can trigger a slab avalanche.

It will snow at least part of the night to Tuesday. The snow line will temporarily rise to 1400 m above sea level in places. Expected up to around 80 cm snow in western and southern parts of the Julian Alps, elsewhere 20 to around 50 cm. Less snow at lower altitudes. Strong southerly and southwesterly wind will create drifts. Avalanche danger will increase by tomorrow.

New report will be issued on Tuesday, 19.3.2013



General avalanche danger is considerable, i.e. 3rd degree on the European 5-degree scale.



Source: ARSO