Goldberg Group Central

Weak old snow and fresh snowdrifts which are prone to triggering

Weak old snow and fresh snowdrifts which are prone to triggering

Avalanche danger above 1700 m is CONSIDERABLE, below that altitude danger is LOW. Freshly generated snowdrift accumulations are found near ridgelines, in foehn lanes also distant from ridgelines, from NW to SE. They can grow to medium size and are prone to triggering, mostly by large additional loading. Danger zones increase with ascending altitude. Amid diffuse light conditions they can be hard to recognize. Avalanches can be triggered in some places in the weak old snow by the weight of one sole winter sports enthusiast, particularly in transitions from shallow to deep snow. Slabs can reach medium size. It’s possible to trigger a release on shady slopes above 2000 m and on sunny slopes above 2600 m. Caution especially urged in transitions from shallow to deep snow.

Strong southerly winds have transported the snow far-reachingly. Also on SE facing slopes, snowdrift accumulations have formed on Sunday due to the cold front. The freshly generated snowdrift accumulations lie deposited atop a snowpack showing pronounced effects of wind which is often riddled with graupel. On shady slopes at high altitudes and in high alpine regions, on sunny slopes above 2600 m, there are expansively metamorphosed (faceted) crystal layers. The snowpack at altitudes is highly irregular.

Monday: The Tauern is often shrouded in clouds from the south, minor intermittent snowfall is possible. In the Northern Alps, mostly sunny over the midday hours, good visibility, cloud cover will increase during the afternoon. At high altitudes, southerly winds will reach speeds of 90 km/hr in the Tauern. At 2000 m: -6 degrees at 2000 m; -10 degrees at 3000 m. Tuesday: Southerly winds will intensify, reach storm strength in the afternoon. The Tauern will be veiled in clouds from the south, a bit of snowfall is possible. In the northern regions, clouds will be scattered, some sunshine is likely. At 2000 m: -8 degrees; at 3000 m: -13 degrees.

Little change is expected.