Snow conditions in the mountains 27.12.2011

In the last few days it has mostly been dry weather. Locally, a few centimeters of snow fell occasionally. The weather was variable and the freezing level fluctuated considerably. The snow cover settled and transformed, but transformation was slow in shaded areas.

There is relatively little snow in the mountains. In the Julian Alps at 2500 m up to about 90 cm, at 1500 m up to about 40 cm. Elsewhere in our mountains at 1500 m from 20 to about 40 cm of snow. The snow cover condition is still quite varied. In places the snow is soft, in many places covered with crust that in places supports human weight. Wind-exposed locations are scoured to the old, partially icy base. Avalanche danger in the high mountains of the Julian Alps is 2nd degree, elsewhere 1st degree. Mainly dangerous are areas with drifted snow and steeper slopes. At places where snow is scoured, and also elsewhere, there is risk of slips on the old, partially icy base.

Dry weather will continue until Thursday evening. In the mountains it will be relatively warm, more warm layers, in some temperature slightly above zero. During the day sunny, in mid-mountains occasional low cloudiness. The snow cover will continue to slowly transform and settle. On sun-facing slopes surface crust will form.

New report will be issued on Thursday, 29 December 2011.



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



Source: ARSO