Snow conditions in the mountains 24.12.2012

Dry weather continues. On Sunday afternoon, it warmed up significantly in the high elevations and the snowpack transformed, settled, and initially became unstable somewhat more quickly. Today, slightly colder air has already begun to flow into the high elevations.

The snowpack extends to about 1000 m above sea level. The snow is mostly crusty, with the crust only partially supporting human weight. On wind-exposed locations, the snow is heavily wind-packed, with extensive areas of wind-drifted snow. At 2500 m in the Julian Alps, there is about 130 cm of snow, at 1500 m up to 50 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 elevation. Steeper slopes with drifted snow are dangerous, where even minor loading can trigger an avalanche. Drifted snow is most abundant on southern and eastern sides of ridges. No spontaneous avalanches are expected. In the mid-mountains and on spots where snow is wind-packed, there is locally also risk of slipping on icy surfaces.

Today the freezing level will be above our highest peaks, tomorrow it will gradually cool, but the layer of air with positive temperatures will remain relatively thick and only on Wednesday will the freezing level drop below 2000 m, to about 1300 m by evening. Avalanche conditions will not change much. Today the southwest wind will strengthen, tomorrow it will be quite strong. But there is not much snow to transport, as it is mostly crusty. On Wednesday it will start snowing. Until Thursday night, 20 to 40 cm of snow is expected in the mountains, which the wind will drift into cornices. Avalanche danger will increase, and due to the crusty old base we expect spontaneous slabbing from steeper slopes.

New report will be issued on Friday, 28.12.2012.



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



Source: ARSO