Snow Conditions in the Mountains 29.12.2010

Dry and cold weather continues. The snow cover is transforming only slowly and hardly settling. Moderate northwesterlies are transporting snow on wind-exposed sites.

In the Julian Alps up to about 390 cm snow at 2500 m, about 100 cm at 1500 m. Elsewhere in our mountains up to about 40 cm at 1500 m. Considerably less lower down. The snow cover above about 1800 m elevation is soft and loose and sinks deeply, partly a crust has formed due to wind. Lower down on harder, partly icy base, layer of powder snow from a few to about 20 cm. On wind-exposed sites snow is blown to the icy base.

Avalanche danger in the high mountains is 3rd degree. An avalanche can be triggered by minor additional stress especially on sites with wind-packed snow and steeper slopes. Lower down, where it rained long during thaw, snow cover is more stable, danger 1st to 2nd degree depending on new snow amount. Especially on wind-scoured sites and lower elevations risk of slips.

Sunny and cold weather will continue. Towards the weekend it will warm up slightly, freezing level will temporarily rise to about 1700 m. But since air will be dry, snow will not get wet except during the day in mid-mountains. It will transform somewhat faster.

No strong wind, thus no major new drifts.

Avalanche danger in high mountains, where temperature will stay below zero, will not change much.

Next report on Monday, 3 January.



Source: ARSO