Snow conditions in the mountains 22.4.2011

In recent days it has been mostly clear in the mountains. The snowline has risen above the highest peaks. The snow cover froze overnight, but softened and melted during the day.

In the Julian Alps there is about 280 cm of snow at 2500 m, and about 30 cm at 1500 m. South-facing slopes are bare even higher up.

Elsewhere in our mountains there is snow at 1500 m only in gullies. South-facing slopes are bare even above 2000 m. The snow cover is mostly well transformed, except in shady high-mountain locations. In the morning and part of the forenoon it is frozen, then softens on the surface during the day.

Avalanche danger is mostly 1st degree. The snow is stable. In the morning and part of the forenoon the surface is hard and there is a risk of slipping.

Dry weather will continue over the weekend. There will be somewhat more cloudiness, so nighttime cooling will be somewhat less pronounced, and thus the snow will not freeze as much overnight. From Monday onwards the air will be more humid and there will also be less sunny weather.

Local showers will occur, during which it will also snow above about 1600 m elevation. But quantities will be small and quite variable from place to place. The snowline will drop to about 2300 m, and from Tuesday onwards it will be at about 2100 m elevation.

The snow cover in the high mountains will remain frozen longer and will not soften as much. Avalanche danger will not change. With slightly lower temperatures there will be only a little more possibility of slips in the high mountains.

The next report will be issued on Thursday, 28 April 2011.



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



Source: ARSO