Snow conditions in the mountains 21.10.2011

On Thursday, with the passage of a cold front, it snowed in the mountains, and the snow line dropped to the lowlands in many places. In the mountains, 30 to 70 cm of snow fell, depending on elevation. There was more precipitation in the west. It snowed onto bare ground. Initially the snow was wet, then dry. It bonded well to the ground. The northeast wind created drifts.

In the Julian Alps, at 2500 m there is up to about 70 cm of snow, at 1500 m up to 50 cm. Elsewhere at 1500 m around 40 cm of snow. The snow cover extends low, sometimes to the lowlands, but there is considerably less snow lower down. The snow cover is soft and powdery. The freezing level was this morning at around 1000 m above sea level. Avalanche danger is low, 1st degree. There is a slightly higher chance of triggering an avalanche by loading the snow cover only at sites with wind-packed snow on south and west sides of ridges.

Until Monday, dry and cold weather in the mountains. Freezing level at around 1200 m above sea level, on Sunday rising to around 1700 m. Light to moderate easterly wind blowing, initially still transporting snow into drifts. The snow cover will settle and slowly consolidate. Since there will not be much sunshine, the sun will have little influence on the metamorphism of snow crystals.

Next report will be issued on Monday, 24.10.2011.



General avalanche danger is 1st degree on the European five-level scale.



Source: ARSO