Weisseck, Muhr Valley

Wet snow avalanches detach up to great heights

Wet snow avalanches detach up to great heights

The avalanche risk is already considerable below around 2800 m in the morning. Steep areas in the extended northern sector between 2100 m and 2600 m are particularly at risk. Although a melt-freeze crust forms overnight, especially at this altitude, it quickly softens. Wet slab avalanches and loose snow avalanches are to be expected on slopes that have not yet been discharged. This occurs in those aspects where there is still a lot of snow, i.e. also on the south side at high altitudes. Most avalanches are naturally triggered avalanches, with remote triggering possible in isolated cases. Avalanches can become large in some places as wet snow collects and tears through the persistent weak layer and reach atypically long runout lengths. Caution should also be exercised in the apery areas of trenches. There are isolated signs of sliding snow activity.

In a few places above 2400 m, weak layers can also be disturbed directly in the persistent weak layer, especially on west, north and east-facing slopes, and also on the south side in the high Alps. Snow slabs in the dry persistent weak layers remain predominantly medium sized.

The snowpack cools down poorly overnight, only at altitude does a melt-freeze crust form, which softens quickly. There is compact snow underneath, but softer layers are embedded, especially at higher altitudes, which allow fractures near the surface. On shady slopes from around 2400 metres, there are still weak layers of angular forms and deep rime in the old snowpack close to the ground. The snowpack becomes moist to wet up to high altitudes during daytime changes at the latest. Low and sunny slopes are covered in snow.

It may still be clear at the highest altitudes during the night, after which the clouds will thicken. The frost line will be around 2600 metres. Tomorrow, Thursday, there will be mostly dense clouds, especially in the morning, but the sun may appear at high altitudes in places, with more sunshine in the afternoon. A few spring clouds will form over the peaks. Light rain showers are possible everywhere in the morning (frost from approx. 2500 m), with isolated showers in the northern Alps in the afternoon. The wind will be weak to moderate, in the afternoon partly brisk from north-westerly directions. Temperatures at 2000 m around 4 degrees, at 3000 m around -3 degrees.

The night to Friday will be mostly clear and there will be pronounced daytime changes.