Snow conditions in the mountains 20.3.2013

Yesterday it was sunny weather. The snowline was at an altitude of about 1300 m, during the day the temperature rose above zero up to about 1500 m. The snow cover moistened rapidly from this altitude, and even higher on sun-exposed slopes, transformed and settled. In the shade above about 1800 m, the snow remained dry, settling slightly.

At 2500 m there is currently up to about 410 cm of snow in the Julian Alps, at 1500 m up to 260 cm and at 1000 m from 70 to about 90 cm. Elsewhere in our mountains, snow at 1500 m is from 90 to 150 cm, at 1000 m up to about 40 cm.

The snow cover is soft and powdery, but in places already covered with a thin crust. On wind-exposed locations, the snow is quite wind-packed in places. There are many drifts and slabs.

The avalanche danger is 4 in the Julian Alps, mostly 3 elsewhere. In the Julian Alps, spontaneous avalanching from steeper slopes is still expected. Elsewhere, the chance of spontaneous avalanching will be smaller. Even with minor additional stress, a fresh snow slab avalanche can be triggered quickly, especially in areas with wind-blown snow.

The snow cover will continue to settle and transform, faster on sunlit locations. In the high mountains, snow in the shade will transform only slowly. The snowline will be at altitudes between 1200 and 1500 m. Today it will become cloudy, with initially minor precipitation in the western part, then everywhere at night. The snow level will drop to about 800 m above sea level, lower in Notranjska and Kočevje area. About 10 cm of snow will accumulate. Tomorrow it will clear up quickly. A strong northerly wind will blow, forming new drifts and slabs. It will be most pronounced in the Karawanks and Kamnik-Savinja Alps and above about 2000 m in the Julian Alps.

New report will be issued on Friday, 22.3.2013



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



Source: ARSO