Glockner Group Central

Persistent weak layer on shady high altitude slopes.

Persistent weak layer on shady high altitude slopes.

Avalanche danger above 2200 m is CONSIDERABLE, below that altitude danger is MODERATE. Weak layers inside the old snowpack can on shady slopes above approximately 2200 m still be triggered, particularly on wind-protected slopes at the foot of rock walls or behind abrupt discontinuties in the terrain. Danger zones are rare, difficult to recognize. Avalanches can grow to medium size. Fresh snowdrift accumulations are prone to triggering, particularly on steep (>30°) N/E facing slopes above 2200 m. Danger zones occur behind abrupt discontinuities in the terrain, in gullies and bowls, the size and trigger-sensitivity increasing with ascending altitude. Avalanches can become medium-sized. Fractures down to deeper layers is possible. The quite mild temperatures and a bit of rainfall starting in late afternoon below 2000 m make small wet loose-snow slides likely in extremely steep terrain. In addition, glide-snow avalanches on steep grassy slopes in all aspects are possible. Due to the shallow snowpack, releases will remain small-sized.

The snowpack is unfavourable over widespread areas. On high alpine shady slopes the layering is often a sequence of melt-freeze crusts and faceted crystals inside the fundament, in places with blanketed surface hoar above 2200 m. This applies particularly to wind-protected terrain. Below 2600 m the sun and warmth have moistened the snowpack. Below 2000 m and on south-facing slopes higher up, it is moist down to the ground. Below 1800 m there is little snow on the ground. On Friday night, rainfall up to 2200 m, on Saturday morning temperatures will recede somewhat. By Saturday midday: 5-15 cm of snow expected, amid strong westerly winds which will transport it. Snowdrifts will be deposited especially on N/E facing slopes atop a loose snowpack surface.

Saturday: clouds in the Tauern will reduce visibility or create diffuse light. Light rainfall/snowfall possible in the morning hours (snowfall above 1600-1900 m). As of midday it will remain largely dry, visibility will improve. Winds will be SW/NW at 40-60 km/hr. At 2000 m: -1 degree, at 3000 m -7 degrees. Sunday: lots of sunshine, residual clouds will recede, visibility will be adequate, winds light, extremely mild. At 2000m: 3-7 degrees, at 3000 m at midday, 0 degrees.

The freshly generated snowdrift accumulations will stabilise somewhat. Solar radiation will lead to small naturally triggered loose-snow avalanches in steep rocky terrain.