Goldberg Group Central

The avalanche danger is high!

The avalanche danger is high!

The avalanche risk is considerable above the tree line and low below. The situation is dangerous for winter sports, especially in areas bordering a higher danger level. On slopes of all aspects, medium to large slab avalanches can be triggered very easily in some places (including remote triggering) by individuals. Naturally triggered avalanches are also possible. In particular on north-west to north to east-facing slopes above 2000 m, avalanches triggered on the surface can tear through to deeper layers. Danger areas are sometimes barely recognisable and require a very defensive choice of route - watch out for avalanche catchment areas. Fresh avalanches, cracks in the snowpack and booming noises indicate danger.

From Sunday to Thursday, about half a metre of new fallen snow was transported extensively and is very prone to triggering. Fresh (from today, Thursday) foehn drift snow and older, over-snowed wind slab snow overlay soft layers of faceted crystals and deep frost. In wind-protected areas, on shady slopes above about 2000 m, on sunny slopes above 2400 m, some surface hoar has also been snowed in. Fractures occur either in soft layers near the surface or around the crust that forms the transition to the completely angular old snowpack. In general, areas with little snow alternate with sometimes considerable snowdrift accumulations in a confined space.

The night will be cloudy and largely free of precipitation. The southerly foehn becomes stronger during the night and reaches speeds of around 80 km/h. On Thursday, the stormy south wind will ease during the day. A moderate northerly wind will blow in the afternoon. Visibility will deteriorate rapidly and light to moderate snowfall will set in from midday. Temperatures at 2000 metres will be around -3 degrees.

On the main ridge and in Lungau, a strong northerly foehn will blow on Friday, forming fresh wind slab. The avalanche risk remains considerable above the tree line.