Snow conditions in the mountains 9.1.2012

In dry and relatively sunny weather, the snow cover has slowly settled and transformed. Occasionally, a strengthened north to northwesterly wind blew, which especially in the high mountains still carried snow into drifts.

The condition of the snow cover is very varied. In sheltered locations, the snow is soft in places, especially on sun-exposed slopes and at lower altitudes it is covered with a crust that mostly does not bear human weight. There are many drifts and slabs, at the same time the snow on wind-exposed sites is heavily wind-packed, there the base is hard and sometimes icy. In the Julian Alps at 2500 m a.s.l. there is up to about 120 cm of snow, at 1500 m up to 70 cm. Elsewhere in our mountains at 1500 m up to about 40 cm. The avalanche danger is mostly 2nd degree, lower where there is little snow, 1st degree.

Especially dangerous are places with wind-deposited snow and steep slopes.

There, even with minor loading, you can trigger a snow avalanche.

Spontaneous avalanches are not expected. On wind-scoured sites there is a risk of slipping.

Until midweek, dry weather will continue. Partly clear with occasional increased cloudiness. A moderate, occasionally strong north to northwesterly wind will blow. The freezing level will be at about 1300 m a.s.l. Avalanche conditions will not change much until midweek.

New report will be issued on Wednesday, 11.1.2012.



General avalanche danger is 2nd degree on the European five-level scale.



Source: ARSO