Glockner Group Pasterze

Caution: isolated weak layers prone to triggering. Heed drifts.

Caution: isolated weak layers prone to triggering. Heed drifts.

Weak layers in the old snow can be triggered in many cases by one sole skier on W/N/E facing slopes above 2400m. Caution in transitions from shallow to deeper snow, e.g. at entry points into gullies and bowls. Due to fresh snow and northerly winds, trigger-sensitive snowdrift accumulations were generated in gullies, bowls and behind protruberances in the landscape. They can be triggered by one sole skier in the weak old snow, esp. on W/N/E facing slopes above 2400m. Danger zones are easy to recognize for the practiced eye. Avalanches can reach medium size.

In the lowermost part of the snowpack there are faceted, expansively metamorphosed weak layers, esp. on W/N/E facing slopes. The fresh snowdrift accumulations lie deposited atop an unfavorable old snowpack surface in high-alpine zones. Highly varied snow depths, depending on wind impact.

On Monday, dense clouds or fog initially, sunshine will come out later in the day. At 1000m: -4 degrees; at 2000m: -8 degrees; at 3000m: -13 degrees. Light to moderate NW winds, strong in exposed terrain. Source: GeoSphere Austria

Fresh snowdrifts need to be cautiously assessed. Pay attention to weak layers in old snowpack.