Snow conditions in the mountains 21.2.2011

On Friday, Saturday and most of Sunday the weather in the mountains was dry. It gradually cooled and by Sunday the freezing level had dropped to around 500 m altitude. On Sunday evening light snow began, but by this morning only up to 5 cm had fallen. On Friday and Saturday the snow cover transformed on sunny slopes, softening during the day and freezing at night, strengthening the surface crust. Transformation was slower in shaded areas.

In the Julian Alps at 2500 m up to about 360 cm of snow, at 1500 m up to about 140 cm. Elsewhere in our mountains at 1500 m about 30 cm of snow. A thin snow cover extends to the lowlands. The snow is mostly covered with a crust that does not bear human weight. In sheltered places the snow is still soft in spots. There are a few centimetres of new snow on the crust.

In wind-exposed places the snow cover is considerably blown down to the hard, partially icy base.

Avalanche danger is level 3 in the Julian Alps and western Karawanks, elsewhere level 1 to 2. Particularly dangerous are areas with drifted snow and steeper slopes. In the Julian Alps and western Karawanks individual medium-sized avalanches of new dry snow can still release from sufficiently steep slopes. Mostly, however, an avalanche is triggered by additional load from a pedestrian or skier.

Cold weather will continue. Temperatures in the mountains will remain below zero throughout. Light snow will stop today and then it will be dry until Friday. In high mountains, and initially lower as well, a stronger northerly wind will blow but will not create major new drifts. The snow cover will slowly transform and settle and avalanche danger will gradually decrease. On south-facing slopes from Tuesday or Wednesday the snow will soften during the day and freeze at night, strengthening the surface crust.

The next report will be issued on Friday, 25 February.



General avalanche danger is level 3 on the European five-level scale.



Source: ARSO