Weisseck, Muhr Valley

Fresh snowdrift accumulations. Weak layer in places.

Fresh snowdrift accumulations. Weak layer in places.

Avalanche danger above the treeline is MODERATE. Fresh drifts which were generated since Wednesday afternoon on the Main Alpine Ridge can setill be triggered by one single person. Danger zones occur esp. in ridgeline and pass areas as well as behind abrupt discontinuities in the terrain in W/N/NE facing terrain. In foehn lanes, this can also appl to east-facing gullies which have been filled by winds laterally. Danger zones are easy to recognize. In isolated cases, avalanches can fracture down to deeper layers in the snowpack. Elsewhere, only with large additional loading or in steep zones from shallow to deep snow and in very convext N/E facing terrain. The persistent weak layer is most pronounced where there is little snow on the ground. On steep smooth grassy slopes below 2400 m, isolated glide-snow avalanches can trigger and grow to medium size. Terrain below glide cracks should be avoided.

Deep fresh snowdrift accumulations which have been generated since Wednesday afternoon, have settled well. Deeper layers of faceted crystals and melt-freeze crusts are unlikely to trigger. Danger zones occur mostly in ridgeline terrain and pass areas as well as behind abrupt discontinuties in the terrain on W/N/NE facing slopes. In other aspects the snowpack surface is often powdery.

Also on Thursday, perfect skiing weather conditions, with lots of sunshine and good visibility above the fogbanks. In the early part of the day, brisk S/SE winds which will then ease. At 2000 m, temperatures will rise slightly: between -10 and -5 degrees; at 3000 m: -11 degrees.

The snowdrifts from Wednesday and Thursday will bond with the snowpack only slowly, in places they will remain prone to triggering. No significant changer in avalanche danger levels.