Glockner Group Central

Rain up to 2500 m leads to an increase in avalanche danger

Rain up to 2500 m leads to an increase in avalanche danger

The avalanche danger is considerable above 2000 metres and moderate below. The risk of avalanches increases at all altitudes with rain and snowfall. Small to medium-sized snow slabs and loose snow avalanches can detach spontaneously during precipitation. Slab avalanches can also be triggered by individual winter sports enthusiasts with little additional pressure. Danger spots for this are located particularly on steep slopes with exposures from west to north to east, especially at the transitions from little to much snow as well as behind terrain edges and near ridges. Slab avalanches in fresh and older drift snow can become medium-sized when breaking through into deeper layers. Some of the danger spots are covered in snow and difficult to recognise! With the rain, more small sliding snow avalanches are possible again. Areas under sliding snow avalanches should be avoided. In addition to the risk of burial, the risk of being swept away and falling should also be taken into account!

A warm front brings precipitation and it rains up to around 2500 metres. On the one hand, the precipitation puts additional stress on existing weak layers, on the other hand, the rain causes the snow slab to form better on the weak layer, making it more susceptible to disruption for winter sports enthusiasts. The old snow cover contains several layers of angular crystals, which are susceptible to disruption. These can be found in particular on the western, northern and eastern slopes above 2400 metres. In addition, there are fresh and older accumulations of drift snow on soft layers that are prone to disturbance. In the steep grass mat terrain, the entire snow cover slides off the ground.

Warm front lift. It rains and snows in the night to Monday. The snow line rises rapidly from 1500 m to 2500 m. Around 15 - 20 mm of precipitation will fall, mostly in the form of rain. Only above about 2500 m will the majority fall as snow (about 15 cm). Monday will then start with poor visibility. The precipitation will largely subside by midday and the clouds will begin to clear. Visibility will be mostly good in the afternoon and the sun may even make an appearance. The wind will blow briskly from the south to west at times, reaching speeds of around 50 km/h. The wind will weaken during the day. Temperatures will rise to +4 degrees at 2000 metres and to -1 degree at 3000 metres.

Slow decline in avalanche danger, weak layers in old snow remain susceptible to disruption.