Snow conditions in the mountains 21.12.2012

Dry and cold weather continues in the mountains with temperatures below freezing. On sunny slopes, the snow has partially reformed, and the crust has strengthened somewhat. Snow in gullies remains poorly transformed, only slightly settled.

The snow cover extends to an altitude of about 900 m. In the high mountains, snow is mostly soft in sheltered areas, otherwise covered with a crust that mostly does not bear human weight. On wind-exposed sites, it is scoured to the old base in places. Lower down, the snow is frozen and hard. At 2500 m in the Julian Alps, there is up to about 150 cm of snow, at 1500 m up to 60 cm. Elsewhere in our mountains, at 1500 m there is 15 to about 30 cm of snow.

Avalanche danger is 2nd degree in the high mountains, and 1st degree below about 1500 m. Steeper slopes with wind-packed snow are dangerous, where even minor loading can trigger an avalanche. Wind-packed snow is most abundant on southern and eastern sides of ridges. No spontaneous avalanches are expected. In the mid-mountains and on sites where snow is scoured, there is also a risk of slipping on icy surfaces in places.

Dry weather will continue at the end of the week. Initially cold, but on Sunday warmer air will arrive and the freezing level will rise to about 2100 m by evening. Until Sunday, avalanche conditions will not change, but on Sunday during the day, due to thawing and higher air humidity, the snow will transform and settle.

New report will be issued on Monday, 24.12.2012.



General avalanche danger is 2nd degree on the European five-degree scale.



Source: ARSO