Kreuzeck Group

Caution: weak layers in the old snow

Caution: weak layers in the old snow

Avalanches can be triggered in the weak old snow even by one sole skier, esp. on shady slopes above 2000m. They can fracture down to the moist layers of the old snowpack, which pushes the runout zones further downhill. Most releases are medium-sized. Whumpf noises and glide cracks when you tread on the snowpack are indicators of imminent danger. Fresh snowdrifts can be triggered by one sole skier esp. on shady slopes above 2400m. Caution urged at the foot of rock walls, behind protruberances, and in gullies and bowls. Activity of small-to-medium loose-snow avalanches will increase significantly. Runout zones should be circumvented. On very steep grass-covered slopes, glide-snow avalanches are possible, also medium sized releases.

Since Friday, 25-50cm of fresh snow has been registered above 2000m, locally more. High air moisture has moistened the snowpack esp. above 2400m. Heavily clouded skies mean the snowpack cannot firm up during the nocturnal hours. More deeply embedded inside the snowpack on shady slopes are faceted, expansively metamorphosed weak layers, esp. above 2000m. The snowpack is moist up to intermediate altitudes. Nocturnal outgoing longwave radiation is nearly absent.

On Monday the air curent will shift, it will become windier and cooler. Strong northerly winds will often disperse some clouds. At 2000m: -7 degrees; at 3000m: -14 degrees.

Caution: weak layers in the old snow