Goldberg Group Central

The old snowpack is generally poorly constructed and requires defensive behaviour

The old snowpack is generally poorly constructed and requires defensive behaviour

The avalanche risk increases rapidly with altitude and is considerable above around 2000 metres and low below. In some places, slab avalanches can be triggered by individuals and can be of medium size. Take care in transitions from a little to a lot of snow and in the blown-in entrance areas to steep gullies as well as behind terrain edges, where prone-to-triggering snow packs are located. These continue to grow from late afternoon onwards. They are partly covered in snow and therefore difficult to recognise. Avalanches that are triggered near the surface in fresh wind slabs can tear through to deeper weak layers. Whumpfing collapsing sounds when stepping on the snowpack can indicate danger. Remote triggering is possible in isolated cases.

The snowpack is highly variable and areas with little snow alternate with considerable snowdrift accumulations. In general, 10-20 cm of fresh new and drift snow lies on top of older, mostly hardness wind slabs, which are in the initial stages of kinetic metamorphism. Below this, the old snowpack consists of deep rime and angular forms interspersed with crusts. Fractures in the persistent weak layer usually occur around the uppermost crust, but can also entrain deeper layers. During the night, melt-freeze crusts and surface hoar form, while during the day the snowpack is slightly soaked on the sunny slopes. The snow depth is well below average at all altitudes.

On Monday, the sky above localised patches of fog will be mostly cloudless from the morning onwards and visibility will be very good. A few high clouds may pass through in the afternoon, but the peaks will remain clear. In the foehn wind corridors of the Tauern, brisk southerly winds with peaks around 50 km/h will freshen up in the late afternoon. Temperatures at 2000 m between -8 and -2 degrees, at 3000 m between -11 and -7 degrees.

The avalanche danger increases with the Föhn storm on Tuesday.