Weisseck, Muhr Valley

Assess steep wind-loaded slopes with caution

Assess steep wind-loaded slopes with caution

Avalanche danger above 2000m is moderate, below that altitude danger is low. Snowdrift accumulations can in some places be triggered even by one sole skier, esp. in steep ridgeline terrain, also on slopes behind protruberances in the landscape which are distant from ridgelines. Avalanches can grow to medium size if they fracture to more deeply embedded layers. Trigger points lie esp. in transitions from shallow to deeper snow or in the opposite direction, esp, on very steep north-facing slopes. Naturally triggered small glide-snow avalanches are possible in isolated cases.

Hardened, smallish snowdrift accumulations lie deposited atop a loose, faceted old snowpack surface on shady slopes. Inside the old snowpack on very steep shady slopes there are weak layers of faceted crystals. On the one hand, the snow was able to metamorphose esp. where snow is shallow; on the other, below the near-surface melt-freeze crust there are also faceted crystals. Snowdrifts can form a slab on the surface above the faceted crystals. On shady slopes loose snow is still evident.

On Wednesday, densely cloudy skies, frequently limited visibility above the treeline. Esp. in the southern mountain massifs, light snow showers are possible, as snowfall above 1300-1600m. Winds linght to moderate from south to west. At 2000m: between -4 and -1 degree; at 3000m: -7 degrees.

No change expected. By Thursday evening, a bit of snowfall, little wind from today’s point of view.