Gailtal Alps West

Caution urged towards weak layers in old snow

Caution urged towards weak layers in old snow

Avalanches can be triggered in the old snow even by one sole skier on shady slopes above 2000m, mostly medium-sized releases. Freshly generated snowdrift accumulations can be triggered by one sole skier, esp. on shady slopes. Caution urged at the foot of rock walls and behind protruberances in the terrain, and in gullies and bowls. Due to daytime warming and solar radiaation, moist loose-snow avalanches are possible, mostly small releases on very steep sunny slopes. On very steep grass-covered slopes glide-snow avalanches are possible, also medium sized releases.

Clear skies widespread. Due to low temperatures and low air moisture, near-surface crusts form above 2400m. In the lowermost part of the snopwpack there are faceted, expansively metamorphosed weak layers evident, esp. above 2000m. Fresh snowdrift accumulations are being deposited atop soft layers.

On Tuesday, high-pressure front conditions will continue with brilliant sunshine, mostly cloudless skies and outstanding visibility. Winds will start with speeds of 50 km/hr then slacken off to 24-40 km/hr. At 1000m: +1 degree; at 2000m: -8 degrees. Source: GeoSphere

Caution urged towards weak layers in the old snow