Goldberg Group Central

Rare avalanche prone locations in persistent weak layers of snow

Rare avalanche prone locations in persistent weak layers of snow

The avalanche risk is low. Small avalanches in particular can occasionally be triggered by one person in shady slope high alpine regions above 2600 metres. This occurs where the older foehn drift snow has formed a suitable shelf above a weak layer (usually in persistent weak layer). In addition to the risk of burial, the risk of falling and injury should be taken into account.

The unproductive amounts of new snow come to rest on a hard-frozen surface. In high, shady slopes, the melt-freeze crust is partly covered by unbound edged snow, which can serve as a weak layer in exceptional cases, but is usually not prone to fracture propagation. Fractures are most possible within the snow cover, above the hardness of the old snowpack from early winter or in weak layers near crusts. The snow depth is well below average at all altitudes.

On Wednesday, there will be some sunshine in the Hohe Tauern region for the time being. During the day, light and unproductive snowfall will spread to all mountain regions. The wind will blow weak to moderately strong from a south-easterly direction. The wind peaks at around 40 km/h in open areas. The temperature at 2000 metres will be around -7 degrees Celsius, at 3000 metres around -9 degrees Celsius. The snowfall will soon subside on Thursday night and the clouds will begin to clear.

The avalanche danger remains low.