Goldberg Group Central

Beware of fresh wind slab, avalanche prone locations in persistent weak layers are rare but have serious consequences

Beware of fresh wind slab, avalanche prone locations in persistent weak layers are rare but have serious consequences

The avalanche risk is considerable above the tree line and low below. Avalanches in wind slabs can be triggered very easily by individuals, in particular in the aspects from west to north to east. Danger areas are located behind terrain edges as well as in steep gullies and bowls and in the forest boundary area. Avalanches can reach medium size, and avalanches can occasionally become large by tearing through deeper weak layers in the persistent weak layer. Above 2000 m, in the aspects from west to north to east, medium and occasionally large, dry slab avalanches can still be triggered by individuals in persistent weak layers in a few places. Such avalanche prone locations are rare but often not recognisable in the terrain. Take particular care at the transitions from little to more snow. In sunny conditions, small loose snow avalanches can usually be triggered from extremely steep sunny slopes.

30 to 40 cm of new fallen snow fell on Tuesday. New and wind slab snow lies in shady high areas on soft, faceted snow. Away from this, the snow has fallen on a melt-freeze crust. Deeper in the snowpack, faceted crystals can be found on a crust; close to the ground, the snowpack consists of angular, cup-shaped crystals. The connection at the transition to the deep snowpack near the ground is still poor. Deep and sunny middle layers were largely covered with snow before the snowfall.

During the night, the sky will initially be partly cloudy, with increasing cloud cover from the east after midnight. On Wednesday, dense clouds will frequently restrict visibility at first and it may snow a little in places. During the daytime changes, it will become somewhat friendlier, with better visibility and occasional sunshine. Strong east to north-easterly winds with gusts of around 70 km/h at high altitudes. Temperatures during the day changes to between -7 and -3 degrees at 2000 metres and between -12 and -9 degrees at 3000 metres.

Gradual settlement of the snowdrift accumulations.