Goldberg Group Central

Large amounts of fresh snow plus wind impact

Large amounts of fresh snow plus wind impact

Danger above 2200m is HIGH (4), below that altitude danger is CONSIDERABLE (3). Numerous danger zones for slab avalanches, easily triggered in steep terrain (1 person) and possibly growing to dangerously large size (up to magnitude 3). In extremely steep, sunny terrain, small-to-medium naturally triggered loose-snow avalanches are possible. On very steep grassy slopes and rock plates below 2000m, also naturally triggered glide-snow avalanches reaching medium size are possible. Avalanche releases at high altitudes can develop powder clouds and thus plummet long distances. Danger zones occur in all aspects, particularly in steep gullies and bowls. The avalanche prone sites are not always easy to recognize, only the freshly generated snowdrift accumulations from NW winds are visible on the snowpack surface - these should be consequently circumvented. Backcountry touring possibilities are severely limited.

Since Friday there has been 30-60 cm of fresh snow registered, up to 80 cm in the Northern Alps at high altitudes. The fresh snow above the treeline has a high proneness to triggering, having been worked on by W/NW winds since Saturday afternoon. Both stability tests and already naturally released avalanches demonstrate this amply! Above all else, the cold, loose fresh snow beneath the bonded fresh snow must be seen as the riskiest weak layer with good fracture propagation potential. In high alpine regions, faceted layers in the old snowpack base were often triggered. Below 1600 to 1800 m, the snowpack is often gliding over the smooth ground.

On Saturday night the snowfall will come to an end, only a few last centimetres are expected, and the clouds will begin to disperse from the west. On Sunday, good visibility and sunshine. Final residual clouds and swaths of fog (esp. in eastern mountain ranges) will soon disperse. The NW wind will be blowing briskly (60 km/hr max.) on Main Alpine Ridge and Niedere Tauern, later slacken off; no wind in the afternoon. Temperatures will rise: at 2000 m from -15 to -10 degrees; at 3000 m to -17 degrees. On Sunday night, skies will be clear. During the daytime hours on Monday, adequate visibility, heavy cloud cover, diffuse light conditions, but the peaks will be free by and large. It will remain dry. The southerly wind will be light to moderate (up to 30 km/hr). Temperatures will rise further. At midday -2 to -5 degrees at 2000m; at 3000m -8 degrees.

Also on Monday, a still considerable snowdrift problem at high altitudes. As temperatures rise measurably at all altitudes the snow will settle further and proneness to triggering recede.