Snow conditions in the mountains 8.12.2010

On Monday and Tuesday there were occasional precipitations. The snow line slowly rose and by this morning it had risen to an altitude of around 2300 m. The most precipitation was in the area of the Julian Alps and Notranjska. In the high mountains there, up to 25 cm of snow fell, at 1500 m first around 10 cm, then it rained. Elsewhere in our mountains it was mostly dry, precipitations started to appear today in the second part of the night, when it was mostly raining. The snow cover softened due to rain and settled heavily, in places by more than half a meter, lower down a lot of snow melted. Only above 2300 m it thickened slightly, but at the same time settled faster than in previous days.

In the Julian Alps at 2500 m there is currently around 310 cm of snow, at 1500 m around 120 cm. Elsewhere in our mountains at 1500 m around 70 cm of snow. At 1000 m altitude snow from 20 to 40 cm. The snow cover is soft and wet, in the high mountains loose and deeply penetrated under human weight.

Avalanche danger is 3rd degree. In the high mountains, avalanches of partially bonded snow can release from steeper slopes, lower down wet snow can release. On steep grassy slopes, ground avalanches of wet snow are possible.

Today and tomorrow morning it will still be warm with a high snow line.

The snow will settle and melt. Then it will cool down, the freezing level will drop to around 700 m altitude. The snow will freeze, avalanche danger will decrease tomorrow evening. Because an ice crust will form on the surface, the risk of slips will increase. The next report will be issued on Friday, December 10.



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



Source: ARSO