Snow conditions in the mountains 19.1.2010
19.01.2011
Dry and relatively warm weather is ending. On Tuesday it already cooled somewhat in the heights, freezing level dropped to about 2200 m a.s.l., today below 1500 m. The snowpack, especially on south-facing aspects, thinned further during the day and froze at night, remaining frozen all day only above about 2200 m. Surface crust has strengthened.
In the Julian Alps, at 2500 m up to about 360 cm of snow, at 1500 m up to about 80 cm. Elsewhere in our mountains, at 1500 m about 10 cm of snow. South-facing slopes are bare in places even above 1500 m. The snowpack is mostly covered with a crust that does not bear human weight. Where snow is wind-scoured, the base is harder and icy in places. Soft snow is only in the gullies of the high mountains. Tonight snow has frozen even lower.
Avalanche danger in the high Julian Alps, above about 1800 m, 2nd degree. Avalanches can be triggered by significant additional stress especially at wind-drifted snow locations and steeper slopes. Elsewhere in our mountains, danger 1st degree. During the day, snowpack on south-facing slopes thins and the possibility of slab avalanches slightly increases. On wind-scoured spots, risk of slips.
Today it will cloud over and light snow will start in the mountains.
Snowfall will continue until tomorrow, when it will stop during the day.
10 to 15 cm of snow will fall. Higher up it will fall on crusty base and thus not bond well with it. Northeasterly wind will blow new snow into drifts, on wind-exposed sites new snow will likely be completely scoured to the old base. Avalanche danger will increase slightly especially at wind-drifted snow spots. It will cool, freezing level will drop below 1000 m today, on Thursday to about 600 m a.s.l. Until Friday then dry and cold weather, strong northeasterly wind blowing snow into drifts in the mountains.
Next report will be issued on Friday, 21 January.
General avalanche danger is moderate, i.e. 2nd degree on the European five-level scale.
Source: ARSO