Glockner Group Central

Heed snowdrift accumulations at high altitudes

Heed snowdrift accumulations at high altitudes

Avalanche danger above 2200 m is CONSIDERABLE, below that altitude danger is LOW. Danger zones from fresh snowdrift accumulations lie on NW/N/E facing steep slopes, behind abrupt discontinuities in the terrain, in gullies and bowls. They are prone to triggering on steep slopes and can reach medium size, esp. where snowfall has been heavy. Danger zones increase in frequency with ascending altitude, but are easy to spot. Inside expansively metamorphosed (faceted) layers bordering melt-freeze crusts beneath the fresh snow and drifts, slab avalanches can be triggered in places by large additional loading, esp. above 2200 m. As a result of solar radiation, small naturally triggered loose-snow avalanches are possible in rocky terrain. The likelihood of slab avalanches triggering is increased for a brief spell.

At high and high alpine altitudes there was 30 - 40 cm of fresh snow in the Grossvenediger Massif, 20-30 cm in the Grossglockner Massif, initially transported by stormy foehn wind, later by NW winds. Bonding of drifts to the loose base deteriorates with ascending altitude. Weak layers lie inside the fresh snow and drifts, bonding will improve as temperatures rise.A weak layer of faceted crystals has possibly formed near a melt-freeze crust at high altitudes. Up to intermediate altitudes, bonding of fresh snow and drifts to the base is good.

Frequent sunshine, high clouds hamper only slightly, the summits are free and visibility is adequate. Winds will be light to moderate. At 2000 M: -9 to -1 degree; at 3000 m: -12 to -6 degrees.

As temperatures continue to rise, the danger of naturally triggered wet-snow avalanches will increase on Friday, the snowdrift problem will recede.