Snow conditions in the mountains 28.1.2010

Cold weather continues. The snowpack in the mountains is only slowly transforming. Last night it snowed lightly in places, up to 5 cm of snow fell. The east wind has blown much of the new snow away, often down to the old, crusty base.

In the Julian Alps at 2500 m there is up to about 350 cm of snow, at 1500 m up to about 100 cm. Elsewhere in our mountains at 1500 m there is about 20 cm of snow. The surface is mostly covered with crust that holds human weight in places. On this crusty base there is up to about 10 cm of dry snow. In many places the top layer of snow is quite wind-packed, in more exposed spots down to the old, partially icy base. In sheltered spots there is more wind-drifted, dry snow.

Avalanche danger above about 1500 m is 2nd level.

Especially dangerous are spots with wind-drifted snow that is relatively poorly bonded to the base. There, with significant additional load, you can trigger an avalanche. Elsewhere the danger is 1st level. In many places the snowpack is hard and icy, hence risk of slips.

Today and over the weekend cold and dry weather will continue. Temperatures will remain below zero. The snowpack will hardly transform, avalanche conditions will therefore not change.

The next report will be issued on Monday, 31 January.



General avalanche danger is moderate, i.e. 2nd level on the European five-level scale.



Source: ARSO