Glockner Group Central

Dangerous - large amounts of new snow and sometimes stormy winds.

Dangerous - large amounts of new snow and sometimes stormy winds.

The avalanche risk is high above the tree line (even in sparse high forest) and moderate below. New fallen snow and extensive snowdrift accumulations are very easy to disturb in many places above the tree line in all aspects. Snow slabs can be triggered in layers close to the surface and become medium to large. Especially on western, northern and eastern slopes, avalanches can also tear through layers of the snowpack close to the ground. In some cases, the wind slab is covered by snow again away from areas adjacent to the ridgeline, crest or summit, making avalanche prone locations difficult to recognise. Naturally triggered avalanches (both slabby and soft) are to be expected in steep terrain.

Wind slab (partly covered by snow) lies on a weak old snowpack. There are weak layers in the upper part of the old snowpack as well as deeper down (faceted crystals on crusts). Close to the ground, the snowpack consists of angular, cup-shaped crystals. Snow slabs break mainly within the fresh wind slab and new fallen snow layers, as well as on one of the uppermost weak layers in the persistent weak layer. Under unfavourable circumstances, however, a weak layer close to the ground can also be affected.

A striking cold front will pass through during the night. On Thursday, windy and cold north-westerly weather with dense clouds and prolonged snowfall in the north-facing mountains. At 2000 metres around -9 degrees, at 3000 metres around -15 degrees. Strong to stormy north-westerly winds on the mountains. From Wednesday evening to Thursday evening, 40 cm to 70 cm of new fallen snow.

As the snowfall subsides, the risk of avalanches decreases.