Weisseck, Muhr Valley

Fresh snowdrifts in high alpine regions, poor visibility

Fresh snowdrifts in high alpine regions, poor visibility

Avalanche danger is MODERATE above 2300 m, below that altitude danger is LOW. Fresh snowdrifts have been deposited in gullies and north-facing bowls, often triggerable as a small-to-medium avalanche by minimum additional loading. Poor visibility makes on-site evaluation more difficult. Due to diffuse radiation and daytime warming, loose-snow and isolated slab avalanches or glide-snow avalanches (mostly small, seldom medium) can trigger in extremely steep terrain. Above 2400 m on shady slopes there are isolated danger zones where by large additional loading (a fall, stomping, superficial slab) a slab avalanche can trigger in the old snow which then can grow to large size.

The snowpack at high altitudes shows pronounced effects of the storm-strength southerly foehn winds, often compacted or bonded as snowdrifts. The old snowpack is generally compact, but without reserves of cold. In isolated cases a weak layer has formed around the layer of Sahara dust, but it is not likely to trigger but in exceptional cases.

On Monday night, skies will initially be partly cloudy, then heavier cloud cover will move in. During the day on Tuesday, most of the peaks will be veiled in clouds. At midday heavy rainfall, snow showers and graupel showers will spread (snowfall level at 1500-2000m). At 2000 m: 0 degrees; at 3000 m: -6 degrees. Moderate S/W winds. By Tuesday evening, 5-15 cm of fresh snow are anticipated. On Wednesday, heavy cloud cover, intermittent rainfall or snowfall (snowfall level ascending from 1200 m to 1700m during the day). At 2000 m: -3 to 0 degrees; at 3000 m: -10 to -6 degrees.

Caution: on Wednesday at high and high-alpine altitudes, snowdrift problem, particularly in extended eastern aspects and in gullies. In extremely steep zones, naturally triggered small loose-snow avalanches are possible.