Snow conditions in the mountains 4.2.2011

In sunny weather, it has already warmed up somewhat in the mountains.

Temperature rose above zero during the day in the layer between 1000 and 1500 m. Especially on sun-exposed slopes, the snow cover thinned during the day and froze at night. The surface crust strengthened. Snow transformation was slow in shady areas.

In the Julian Alps, there is up to about 350 cm of snow at 2500 m, and up to about 90 cm at 1500 m. Elsewhere in our mountains, there is about 15 cm of snow at 1500 m. 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, on more exposed spots down to the old, partially icy base. Shady spots have more wind-drifted, dry snow. During the day, the snow cover softens on sun-facing slopes.

Avalanche danger is level 1. During the day, however, with sunny weather, especially on sun-facing slopes, the snow softens and the risk of slab avalanches increases to level 2. Wind-drifted snow areas and cornices are particularly dangerous. In places, the snow cover is hard and icy, so there is a risk of slips.

The coming days will be mostly clear. Today, warmer air is already arriving at altitude, and by the end of the week, it will be very warm in the mountains. At 1500 m, the air mass temperature will be around 10 degrees. But the air will be dry. At night, the snow will still freeze, especially on plateaus and in frost hollows where temperatures will drop below zero. During the day, the snow will soften, remaining mostly dry or frozen only in shaded spots. The snow cover will transform faster; in the morning and part of the forenoon, the surface will be hard, partially icy crust in places.

Monday and Tuesday will have similar weather.

The next report will be issued on Wednesday, February 9.



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



Source: ARSO