Weisseck, Muhr Valley

Beware trigger-sensitive snowdrifts in high-alpine zones, wet-snow problem lower down

Beware trigger-sensitive snowdrifts in high-alpine zones, wet-snow problem lower down

Avalanche danger is moderate. In high-alpine zhones on wind-loaded shady slopes, in shady gullies and bowls, dry-snow slab avalanches can be triggered even by one sole skier. In isolated cases, avalanches in the old snow can fracture down to deeper layers and grow to medium size. On steep slopes below 2800m which have not yet discharged, naturally triggered avalanches can release due to solar radiation and grown to medium size, or else be trigger b persons. Also isolated small-to-medium glide-snow avalanches are possible.

The snowpack is compact, moist or wet up to high altitutudes, contains melt-freeze crusts, weak layers are isolated but occur above 2500m. In high-alpine zones, fresh fallen snow lies deposited atop the wind-impacted snowpack. Southerly winds have formed snowdrift accumulations there, often deposited atop faceted expansively metamorphosed crystals and prone to triggering in places. Higher daytime temperatures and solar raditaion moisten the snowpack and cause firmness to be forfeited.

Southerly foehn winds will slacken off, clouds will reduce nocturnal outgoing radiation. On Easter Monday, initially pleasant with good visibility. Later, convective cloud build-up, showers can follow in the afternoon, visibility deteriorate. Gusty southerly winds in exposed zones. At 2000m: +3 to +7 degrees; at 3000m: -3 to 0 degrees.

On Tuesday following a frequently cloudy night, only few reserves of cold in the snowpack, which will rapidly soften. Proneness to high-alpine snowdrifts triggering will recede somewhat.