Snow conditions in the mountains 31.1.2011

Dry weather continues. The temperature has risen slightly, but in the mountains it remained below zero during the day. The snow cover has slowly transformed and settled, somewhat faster in sunny areas above the top of the low cloud cover.

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 about 20 cm of snow. The surface is mostly covered with a 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 snow layer is quite wind-packed, in more exposed spots down to the old, partially icy base. In sheltered areas there is more drifted, dry snow.

Avalanche danger above about 1500 m is 2nd degree.

Especially dangerous are areas with drifted snow. There, with greater additional load, you can trigger an avalanche. Elsewhere the danger is 1st degree. In many places the snow cover is hard and icy, hence risk of slipping.

Until Wednesday morning it will be dry. The temperature will not change much. During the day on sunny slopes the snow surface will soften slightly, at night it will refreeze. Thus the surface crust will strengthen. In shady areas the snow cover condition will hardly change. Risk of slipping remains, avalanche danger will slowly decrease.

The next report will be issued on Wednesday, 2 February.



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



Source: ARSO