Goldberg Group Central

The wet snow problem remains, above 2200 m there are avalanche prone locations in the drift and persistent weak layer.

The wet snow problem remains, above 2200 m there are avalanche prone locations in the drift and persistent weak layer.

The avalanche risk is considerable below 2200 m and moderate above. Wet loose snow and slab avalanches are possible in all aspects on slopes below around 2200 m that have not yet been discharged. The avalanches can occur spontaneously or be triggered by individuals. They usually remain medium in size, but in isolated cases they can also become large. Above 2200 m, small slab avalanches can be triggered in fresh wind slab in some places. The number and size of snowdrift accumulations increase slightly with altitude. In a few places above 2200 m, weak layers in the persistent weak layer can also be disturbed, especially on west, north and east-facing slopes, and also south-facing slopes in the high Alps. The avalanche prone locations are difficult to recognise. Snow slabs in the persistent weak layer can reach medium size, but in isolated cases avalanches can also tear through to the floating snow close to the ground and become large.

Outgoing longwave radiation at night is limited, only at high altitudes can a thin crust of melted snow form on the snow surface. With the onset of rain, the snowpack is further soaked up to around 2000 metres. At higher altitudes (from around 2200 m), small-scale snowdrift accumulations form. The fresh wind slab contains soft layers that are temporarily prone to triggering. On shady slopes from around 2200 m and south-facing slopes from around 2400 m, there are also prone to triggering weak layers of angular forms and deep rime in the old snowpack. Fractures are most likely to occur on one of the uppermost crusts and only occasionally in the floating snow close to the ground.

During the night to Friday, the clouds will become increasingly dense and precipitation will set in from the second half of the night, with heavier showers possible at times. The snowfall level will be between 1,800 and 2,000 metres, with around 5 - 10 cm of new fallen snow above that, and up to 20 cm locally. The north-westerly wind blows briskly to strongly, with wind speeds of up to 70 km/h possible at exposed high altitudes. The temperature at 2000 metres will be between 0 and 2 degrees, at 3000 metres -4 degrees.

Saturday will bring more sunshine and a slight rise in temperatures. The fresh wind slab sets quickly, the old and wet snow problem remains.