Matej Ogrin

Climate change and the future of winter tourism in Slovenia.

Climate changes are affecting many activities in modern society all over the world. In Europe, the Alps are among the most affected regions, where rises in temperature and snow lines (Kohler, Maselli, 2009) and changed distribution of precipitation have already brought changes in society. Alpine tourism has undergone changes due to warmer and greener winters, so ski areas face lack of profit, some have even stopped operating, while others have changed their strategy and shifted their offer to all-year activities instead focusing only on winter (Vrtacnik Garbas, 2008). In Slovenia, most of the ski slopes lie at very low elevations compared with other Alpine countries, so most of these centres are even more endangered by global warming. The article focuses on climate trends in the Slovenian mountains, especially in the ski season months, from December to March.

Spatial variations in nitrogen dioxide concentrations in urban Ljubljana, Slovenia

Abstract Ambient nitrogen dioxide (NO2) concentrations are regularly measured at only two monitoring stations in the city centre of Ljubljana, and such scanty data are inadequate for drawing conclusions about spatial patterns of pollution within the city, or to decide on effective measures to further improve air quality. In order to determine the spatial distribution of NO2 concentrations in different types of urban space in Ljubljana, two measuring campaigns throughout the city were carried out, during the summer of 2013 and during the winter of 2014. The main source of NO2 in Ljubljana is road transport. Accordingly, three types of urban space have been identified (urban background, open space along roads, and street canyon), and their NO2 pollution level was measured using Palmes diffusive samplers at a total of 108 measuring spots. This article analyses the results of both measuring campaigns and compares the pollution levels of different types of urban space.

Measuring winter precipitation with snow cover water accumulation in mountainous areas

Precipitation variability in mountainous regions is much bigger, than it is possible to con-clude from data of a few meteorological stations in this area. There are big differences between windy sides, lee sides and the valleys. During winter, when snow precipitation prevails, snow accumulates on ground as snow cover, which enables us to see the variability of precipitation on small scale. Results of research-ing snow cover give us more precise data and show us new facts about precipitation variability in Julian Alps and their surroundings and in Karavanke.

Pojav znižane meje sneženja na območju doline Planice in Peči (Tromeje)

In the paper we analyze the precipitation event on the night from March 25th 2015 to March 26th 2015 during the passage of the cold front. Analysis of temperature conditions in meteorological stations around the studied area (Planica Valley and Mt. Pec) shows that during the precipitation event there was no cold advection under 2500 m. In fact, data showed even small temperature rise. However, during the period of the strongest precipitation, temperatures on our monitoring stations fell close to freezing point and for short period isotherm profile was formed in the Planica Valley. Consequently, snow line reached valley bottom for a few hours. Data also show that during strongest precipitation and cooling, wind speed at the valley bottom decreased to almost calm, which indicates decoupling of air in the lower part of the valley from the air above.

Spreminjanje temperatur na Gorenjskem v obdobju 1961–2010

Climate changes and global warming are a reality. Many data of global temperature increase are available in large spatial scales, such as continents, mountain chains or whole Earth. However, we are still missing such studies from regions on smaller spatial scale. The article is focused on temperature changes in Gorenjska region in the period 1961–2010. We compared two 30-years periods (1961–1990 and 1981–2010) and calculated some linear temperature trends of last period (1981–2010) from five meteorological stations: two from lowland, one from Alpine valley, one from hilly terrain and one from high mountains.

Alpska konvencija in njen prispevek k trajnostnemu razvoju v slovenskem alpskem svetu

Alpine Convention, international contract for protection of the Alps, represents a framework for sustainable development in the Alps. However, success of this contract depends on implementation on local level, where spatial policies face local interests, and where local communities search innovative projects to live and stay in the Alps. The article shows best practice examples of implementation of Alpine Convention in Slovenia on local level.Alpine Convention, international contract for protection of the Alps, represents a framework for sustainable development in the Alps. However, success of this contract depends on implementation on local level, where spatial policies face local interests, and where local communities search innovative projects to live and stay in the Alps. The article shows best practice examples of implementation of Alpine Convention in Slovenia on local level.

Prihodnost zimskega turizma na Planini pod Golico v luči globalnega segrevanja

Warmer winters have brought the ski area Spanov vrh near Jesenice in decline. New climate conditions put plans of conventional ski tourism in a different point of a view. The article analysis trends of air temperature and snow conditions in winter months at Planina pod Golico to fnd out if weather conditions assure development of classical winter tourism at ski area Spanov vrh. As alternative to conventional way of tourism, the article recommends some new, more sustainable solutions for development of tourism, which could bring renaissance to Planina pod Golico.

The importance of water accumulation of snow cover measurements in mountainous regions of Slovenia

Snow cover is a frequent phenomenon in Slovenia and even in the lowlands of the interior regions, it can last for several weeks. The properties of snow and winter weather after the snow cover has formed, determine the load of snow upon houses, trees and other objects. Water accumulation of snow cover (WASC) gives us the amount of water in snow and therefore also the weight of snow. Deep snow cover can soak its own melting water from the surface, so WASC does not decrease as fast as one would conclude from the intensity of melting. WASC is also a good indicator of winter precipitation where precipitation stations are rare and precipitation gradients are big. The researches carried out in the winter 2005/2006 showed that precipitation in the central part of the Bohinj ridge in the Slovenian Julian Alps, was about 50% higher than at its northern edge, where the meteorological station Vogel is located.

Alpska politika in nevladne organizacije

Protection of the Alps is an aim of many NGOs in alpine countries. Since 1991 in Slovenia relatively strong movement of civil society has developed, which contributed to the higher level of protection of alpine environment. CIPRA Slovenia is a good example of such NGO. As a part of CIPRA International, contributes its share to promotion and implemen-tation of Alpine convention.