Goldberg Group Central

Wet snow avalanches also occur at altitude during daytime changes

Wet snow avalanches also occur at altitude during daytime changes

The avalanche risk is already considerable below around 2500 metres in the morning and below around 3000 metres in the afternoon. Wet slab avalanches and loose snow avalanches are to be expected on slopes that have not yet been unloaded. This is in those aspects where there is still a lot of snow, i.e. also on the south side at high altitudes. Most avalanches occur naturally, but wet slab avalanches can also be triggered by winter sports. Remote triggering is possible in isolated cases. Avalanches can become large in some places as wet snow collects and tears through the persistent weak layer and can reach unusually long run-out lengths. Caution should also be exercised in the apery areas of trenches. There are isolated signs of sliding snow activity.

In a few places above 2400 m, weak layers can also be disturbed directly in the persistent weak layer, especially on west, north and east-facing slopes, and also on the south side in the high Alps. Snow slabs in the dry persistent weak layers remain predominantly medium sized.

Strong southerly foehn winds deposited small pillows of wind drifted snow in high gullies and bowls on Monday, which are locally covered with a few centimetres of new fallen snow and are difficult to recognise.

The snowpack cools down poorly overnight, only in some areas a thin melt-freeze crust forms, which soon softens. There is compact snow underneath, but softer layers are embedded, especially at higher altitudes, which allow breaks near the surface. On shady slopes from around 2400 metres, there are still weak layers of angular forms and deep rime in the old snowpack close to the ground. The snowpack becomes moist to wet up to high altitudes during daytime changes at the latest. Low and sunny slopes are covered in snow.

In the first half of the night, decreasing, unproductive precipitation (rain up to 2000 metres). Mostly cloudy, with occasional clearing in Pinzgau in the second half of the night. Tomorrow, Wednesday, will bring dry weather with some clouds; visibility will be limited at times in the highest regions. This will slowly improve during the day and the sun will occasionally make an appearance. The wind will blow weakly to moderately from east to south. At 2000 metres between 2 and 4 degrees, at 3000 metres around -2 degrees. The frost line will rise to just under 3000 metres during the daytime changes.

Progressive soaking of the remaining snowpack.