Goldberg Group Central

Below 2700 m, wet-snow and glide-snow avalanches, snowdrift problem at high altitude

Below 2700 m, wet-snow and glide-snow avalanches, snowdrift problem at high altitude

Avalanche danger below 2700 m is CONSIDERABLE, above that altitude danger is MODERATE. Wet loose-snow avalanches and glide-snow avalanches can releases natureally due to high temperatures and rain impact below 2700 m. Danger zones and likelihood of triggering increase with ascending altitude. Avalanches can fracture down to more deeply embedded layers and grow to larger size.

Nocturnal outgoing longwave radiation is possible to a limited extent only, a thin melt-freeze crust cannot always form and if it does, rapidly softens the next morning, thus forfeiting snowpack firmness further. Snowdrifts in high alpine regions, esp. on north-facing slopes, require caution. On shady slopes above 2400 m there are expansively metamorphosed (faceted) layers in the snowpack which can trigger releases by large additional loading, e.g. from a small near-surface avalanches.

On Sunday night, high-altitude clouds will pass through, more dense on the Main Tauern Ridge. On Monday, brisk-to-strong foehn wind will be blowing at high altitudes. Nochberge and Tauern will often be shrouded in clouds, a bit of rainfall is possible in the afternoon (snowfall above 2200 m). In the Northern Alps, sunshine due to foehn-dispersed clouds. At 2000 m: 3-6 degrees; at 3000 m: -2 degrees. On Tuesday, gray skies, poor visibility, rainfall/snowfall. Fresh fallen snow (15-30 cm) at high altitudes.

Wet-snow and glide-snow avalanches remain the main danger. This is the final Avalanche Bulletin of the season. Further information will be supplied in our blog.