Snow conditions in the mountains 23.3.2011

The sunny weather continues. In the high altitudes, warmer air has arrived. The snow line has risen to around 2000 m above sea level by today. The snow cover has been settling and transforming slowly. On sun-exposed slopes, the snow has melted during the day and frozen at night.

In the Julian Alps at 2500 m there is up to about 420 cm of snow, at 1500 m up to about 120 cm. The most snow is in Posočje. Elsewhere in our mountains at 1500 m there is still up to 10 cm of snow. The snow in the high mountains is mostly covered with a crust that does not support human weight. Only occasionally in shady areas is the snow still dry and soft. Lower down, where it rained, the snow is frozen and also icy. There are many wind slabs.

The avalanche danger is mostly 2nd degree everywhere in the high mountains. Lower down, where there is little snow, the danger is 1st degree.

During the day on sun-facing slopes the snow softens and therefore the possibility of triggering an avalanche increases. An avalanche can be triggered by additional loading of the snow cover especially on steeper slopes and at places with wind-blown snow. Especially in the morning and forenoon there is also a risk of slips on wind-packed spots and lower down, where it did not snow last week.

Until Friday it will be sunny and a bit warmer. The snow cover will continue to transform and slowly stabilize. The surface crust will strengthen. In shady locations the snow will remain mostly dry.

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



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



Source: ARSO