Glockner Group Central

Danger zones: in gullies and on esp. on steep ridgeline slopes

Danger zones: in gullies and on esp. on steep ridgeline slopes

Avalanche danger above 2000 m is CONSIDERABLE, below that altitude danger is MODERATE and heavily dependent on wind impact. A medium slab avalanche can be triggered even by minimum additional loading. Avalanche prone locations occur mostly near ridgelines, especially on W/S/SE facing slopes and in steep gullies and wind-protected bowls. In high alpine regions, superficial avalanches can fracture down to more deeply embedded layers and grow to large size.

The huge amounts of cold fresh snow over the last few days were able to settle in the un-windy and intermittently sunny weather. Strong-to-stormy N/NW winds transported the snow widespread, depositing new snowdrift accumulations in gullies and on wind-protected slopes. The fracture point for slab avalanches lies at the very cold, loose blanketed snow. Then there are also weak layers inside the old snowpack near melt-freeze crusts and the depth hoar in the fundament.

On Tuesday, adequate visibility, some sunshine. Temperatures will rise somewhat. At 2000 m. -3 degrees; at 3000 m: -9 degrees. Winds will remain mostly light, moderate NE winds in summit zones.

On Wednesday, sunny, light wind, mild temperatures. But the beautiful weather should not deceive: avalanche danger is still CONSIDERABLE.