Goldberg Group Central

Fresh snowdrift accumulations and persistent weak layer at high altitudes

Fresh snowdrift accumulations and persistent weak layer at high altitudes

Avalanche danger above 2300m is Moderate, below that altitude danger is Low. As a result of fresh snow and wind, fresh snowdrift accumulations are accumulating. Danger levels occur at high and high-alpine altitudes, increase in frequency with ascending altitude. Snowdrift accumulations, mostly in summit and ridgeline terrain at high altitudes (>2000m). In the Tauern the releases can attain medium size. In addition, weak layers in the upper part of the snowpack are prone to triggering, they’re rare but not visible to the naked eye. They occur on very steep (>35°) slopes above 2500 m, where even minimum additional loading can trigger an avalanche which can grow to dangerously large size. Particularly unfavorable: sunny slopes above 2800 m. In case of solar radiation, small loose-snow avalanches can be expected on extremely steep (>40°) sunny slopes, also small glide-snow avalanches in places were the ground was previously bare of snow are possible

By Sunday morning a total of 15-25 cm of fresh snowfall, locally up to 35 cm has fallen. Winds on Saturday were blowing at moderate to strong velocity from the northwest and will remain above transport strength also on Sunday, particularly on the Main Alpine Ridge. As a result of fresh snow and winds, fresh snowdrift accumulations will be generated, get deposited atop a loose snowpack at high altitudes and be prone to triggering. Above 2500 m there are faceted layers bordering melt-freeze crusts inside the snowpack. Reports speak of SE/S/SW slopes above 2800 m as having heightened likelihood of triggering. Weak layers more deeply embedded inside the snowpack are unlikely to trigger. Below 1800 m there is little snow on the ground.

On Sunday, instable weather conditions, with varying visibility and a few bright intervals, repeated minor showers possible all day long. Snowfall down to valley levels in the morning, then during the daytimer mostly above 1000 m. Light to moderate northerly winds. At 2000 m: -7 to -4 degrees; at 3000 m: -14 to -11 degrees.

No significant change in avalanche danger levels is expected. In some places, snowdrift problem and persistent weak layer at high altitudes.