Gailtal Alps West

Naturally triggered avalanches possible

Naturally triggered avalanches possible

Avalanches can be triggered in the old snow even by one sole skier. In addition, avalanches can be triggered even by minimum additional loading in the near-surface layers of the snowpack, esp above 1800m. Avalanches can on shady slopes sweep along the moist layers of the old snowpack and grow to large size. Caution urged at the foot of rock walls and behind protruberances in the terrain, and in gullies and bowls. Due to moistening, increasingly frequent moist loose-snow avalanches can be expected, also medium-sized ones, esp. after a night of cloudy skies on extremely steep slopes. Caution urged in gullies along the Italian and Slovenian borders. The runout zones should be circumvented. On very steep grass-covered slopes glide-snow avalanches are possible, also medium sized releases. Transportation routes can be placed at risk.

Since Wednesday above 2000m, about 40-80cm of fresh snow has been registered, locally more. Above 1600m 5-10cm of fresh snow still expected. Winds will transport the fresh snow. Fresh snow and drifts are being deposited on shady slopes above 1800m atop an unfavorable old snowpack surface (soft layers). More deeply embedded inside the snowpack, esp. on shady slopes, there are expansively metamorphosed (faceted) weak layers, esp. above 2300m.

Persistent low-pressure front impact, thus, clouds will remain dense, summits will remain shrouded in fog. At 2000m: -2 degrees. Winds from S/SW will be moderate.

Not much change expected