Glockner Group Central

High prone to triggering in wind slabs

High prone to triggering in wind slabs

The avalanche risk is high above the tree line (4), a dangerous situation. In many places, slab avalanches can be triggered very easily (even from a distance) by individuals. Naturally triggered avalanches are also possible. In particular on north-west to north to east-facing slopes above 2000 metres, avalanches triggered on the surface can tear through to deeper layers and become large. Danger areas are sometimes barely recognisable and require a very defensive choice of route, which also takes into account catchment areas that cannot be seen. At low and medium altitudes, raindrops can trigger small, wet loose snow avalanches and gliding avalanches.

Since last weekend, half a metre to a metre of snow has fallen in strong winds from varying directions. Fresh and older windslab snow overlaid with soft layers of faceted crystals and deep rime. In areas sheltered from the wind, on shady slopes above around 2000 metres and on sunny slopes above 2400 metres, surface hoar has also been snowed in in places. Breaks occur either in soft layers between the last snow packs or around the crust that forms the transition to the completely angular old snowpack. Current reports of large-scale whamming noises confirm the unfavourable snow layering. At low and medium altitudes, rainfall weakens the snowpack.

The night into Saturday will only bring unproductive precipitation, but winds from the northwest to north may continue to blow in exposed high areas of the Tauern. The precipitation will intensify again on Saturday morning, with rain gradually falling up to around 1400 metres. Another 10 to 20 cm of snow will fall at high altitudes, with winds blowing from west to north at 40 to 60 kilometres per hour. At 2000 m around -4 degrees, at 3000 m around -10 degrees.

Further precipitation with rising snowfall levels and strong winds on Sunday night. The situation remains very precarious!