Snow conditions in the mountains 29.3.2013

On Thursday, the weather was sunny. On sun-exposed slopes, the snowpack softened and settled slightly during the day, while in shaded areas snow remained dry only in the high mountains. Since it became cloudy by evening, the snow did not refreeze everywhere overnight. The freezing level rose to around 1800 m above sea level by today. Lower down, snow transforms and settles more quickly. New precipitation brought up to 20 cm of snow to the Julian Alps and western Karawanks by this morning, and up to about 5 cm elsewhere in our mountains. The snow line was at around 1400 m a.s.l.

At 2500 m in the Julian Alps there is up to about 420 cm of snow, at 1500 m up to 290 cm, and at 1000 m from 70 to about 80 cm. Elsewhere in our mountains, snow depth at 1500 m is from 90 to 150 cm, at 1000 m from about 20 to 50 cm.

Snow is mostly soft and light, but wet below the snow line. In the high mountains, there are many wind slabs and drifts.

Avalanche danger is degree 3 in the high mountains, degree 2 below about 1500 m. From sufficiently steep slopes, individual avalanches of partially bonded snow can release. Even with minimal additional stress, wind slab avalanches can be triggered easily.

Until Monday morning, expect cloudy and foggy weather in the mountains with frequent precipitation. Heavier amounts in the Julian Alps and western Karawanks. There up to more than 50 cm of snow can fall by Monday morning, elsewhere 20 to 40 cm, the most between Saturday morning and Sunday morning. Avalanche danger will increase in the high mountains. Especially from Sunday morning, spontaneous release of avalanches of new, poorly bonded snow is expected. Southwest wind will create new wind slabs and drifts.



New report will be issued on Monday, 1.4.2013 morning.



General avalanche danger is considerable, i.e. degree 3 on the European 5-level scale.



Source: ARSO