Weisseck, Muhr Valley

Naturally triggered loose-snow avalanches and some snowdrifts

Naturally triggered loose-snow avalanches and some snowdrifts

Avalanche danger is MODERATE above 2400 m, below that altitude danger is LOW. Fresh snowdrifts have been deposited in gullies and north-facing bowls, often triggerable as a small-to-medium avalanche by minimum additional loading. Due to solar radiation and daytime warming, loose-snow and isolated slab avalanches or glide-snow avalanches (mostly small, seldom medium) can trigger in extremely steep terrain. Above 2400 m on shady slopes there are isolated danger zones where by large additional loading (a fall, stomping, superficial slab) a slab avalanche can trigger in the old snow which then can grow to large size.

Atop a well consolidated base, 10-20 cm of fresh snow was registered at high altitudes; in exposed terrain it was transported by W/NW winds. Bonding of fresh snow/drifts to the old snowpack is generally good, but deteriorates with ascending altitude. The old snowpack is generally compact, but in isolated cases the melt-freeze layer has developed a weak layer with the Sahara dust at high and high-alpine altitudes. This layer is not triggerable, or if, then only with large additional loading, e.g. through a superficial avalanche.

On Thursday, frequent sunshine. Some convective cloud build-up is expected during the daytime, but visibility will remain adequate. Light to moderate northerly winds will be blowing. At 2000 m: -2 to +3 degrees; at 3000 m: -5 degrees. On Friday, outstanding visibility and frequent sunshine. In the afternoon, thin cirrus clouds above summit level, and some harmless convective clouds. Light to moderate northerly winds. At 2000 m: +4 degrees; at 3000 m: -3 degrees.

On Friday, following a night of clear skies, favorable conditions with a slight daytime danger cycle.