Snow conditions in the mountains 6.4.2011

Sunny weather continues, with warmer air gradually arriving in higher elevations. By this morning, the snowline has risen to around 2500 m above sea level. The snowpack has settled and melted, freezing overnight mostly only in the high mountains, on plateaus, and in frost hollows.

In the Julian Alps at 2500 m there is up to around 370 cm of snow, at 1500 m up to around 80 cm. The most snow is in the western Julian Alps. Elsewhere in our mountains at 1500 m snow is mostly only in gullies. South-facing slopes are bare even higher up. Snow is mostly hard or crusty in the morning and part of the forenoon, softening during the day.

Lower down, snow is soft most of the day.

Avalanche danger is mostly 1st degree, but during the day due to the sun's effect on sun-exposed slopes it increases to 2nd degree. An avalanche can be triggered by greater additional loading on the snowpack, especially on steeper slopes and areas with wind-blown snow. South-facing slopes are more dangerous midday and in the afternoon.

Wet snow avalanches from the south can also release, but only from steep slopes. Particularly in the morning, there is also a risk of slips on wind-packed spots.

Sunny and relatively warm weather will continue. Tomorrow the snowline will rise above our highest peaks. Snow will settle and melt even faster. The snowpack will stabilize, but during the day due to warm weather it will be more labile.

The next report will be issued on Friday, 8 April 2011.



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



Source: ARSO