Fischbach Alps East, Wechsel

MODERATE avalanche danger above the treeline

MODERATE avalanche danger above the treeline

Above the treeline, MODERATE avalanche danger prevails, below that altitude danger is LOW. Avalanche prone locations due to trigger-sensitive snowdrift accumulations lie on E/S facing slopes. Frequency of danger zones increases with ascending altitude, and with increasing deepness of the snowpack the avalanches (generally by large additional loading) can reach medium size above the treeline. On steep grassy slopes, naturally triggered glide-snow avalanches are possible in some places.

On the weekend, stormy NW winds prevailed, massively transporting the fresh snow. At high altitudes the drifts wer deposited atop loose fresh snow, bonding to the snowpack is poor. Weak layers in the fresh drifts and in border points to the loose fresh snow are prone to triggering. More deeply embedded inside the snowpack are layers of faceted crystals bordering against melt-freeze crusts which weaken the entire snowpack. Due to dropping temperatures the moistened snowpack stabilized and encrusted increasingly.

On Monday, cold northerly winds will bring widespread cloudbanks, but the peaks will mostly remain free (clouds above summit level). Sunshine will often be hampered. Later in the day, particularly in the rimline ranges and the Northern Alps, low-lying foglike clouds will move in. Winds will be northerly at 20-35 km/hr. At 2000 m: -12 degrees.

Tuesday will be quite sunny, but cold. Avalanche danger will decrease.