Goldberg Group Central

Weak old snow and fresh snowdrifts

Weak old snow and fresh snowdrifts

Avalanche danger above 2000 m is MODERATE, below that altitude danger is LOW. Avalanches can in some places be triggered easily in the weak old snow and grow to medium size, mostly by large additional loading. on shady slopes above 2000 m and on sunny slopes above 2600 m. Special caution is urged in transitions from shallow to deep snow. Fresh snowdrift accumulations lie deposited on N/E ridgeline slopes, also distant from ridgelines in the foehn-impacted lanes, most are small but trigger-sensitive. As winds slacken off in afternoon, the drifts can get blanketed by fresh snow, making them hard to recognize. Small loose-snow avalanches are possible on south-facing slopes in the morning.

Strong southerly winds have transported the snow far-reachingly. The freshly generated snowdrift accumulations lie deposited atop a snowpack showing pronounced effects of wind which is often riddled with graupel. On shady slopes at high altitudes and in high alpine regions, on sunny slopes above 2600 m, there are expansively metamorphosed (faceted) crystal layers. The snowpack at altitudes is highly irregular.

Sunday: Clouds will disperse during the morning in Tauern and Nockberge, brisk southerly winds will allow a bit of sunshine. In the afternoon clouds will become denser, shroud the peaks. A cold front will bring intensified westerly to northwesterly winds, temperatures will drop, snow showers bringing all-in-all 10 to 15 cm of fresh snow will set in. At 2000 m: dropping from +4 to -6 degrees; at 3000 m, from -2 to -12 degrees. Monday: The Tauern will be shrouded in clouds from the south, minor snowfall is possible. In the Northern Alps mostly sunshine over midday, good visibility, clouds will move in during the afternoon. At high altitudes the southerly winds will intensify, reach 80 km/hr in the Tauern. At 2000 m, -6 degrees; at 3000 m: -10 degrees.

No initial changes. As fresh snow and winds ensue, avalanche danger levels will increase.