Pongau Grass Mountains

Naturally triggered loose-snow avalanches due to solar radiation

Naturally triggered loose-snow avalanches due to solar radiation

Avalanche danger above 1400 m is MODERATE, below that altitude danger is LOW. At high altitude, freshly generated snowdrifts require attentiveness, a slab can be triggered even by minimum additional loading. Danger zones occur mostly near ridgelines and in steep gullies. Frequency of danger zones increases with ascending altitude. As a result of solar radiation, naturally triggered small loose-snow avalanches can be expected in extremely steep terrain. Below 2300 m, naturally triggered small glide-snow avalanches can be expected on very steep grass-covered slopes.

Snowfall from last week has settled and consolidated, is superficially encrusted up to 2600 m. Atop of that lies 5-15 cm of fresh snowfall which on the Main Alpine Ridge at high altitudes is being transported by southerly foehn wind or getting wind-compressed. The old snowpack as weak layers at high and high-alpine altitudes, artificial triggerings found triggerings at the borderline to the old snowpack from last week. At intermediate altitudes the old snowpack is thoroughly wet. Below 1400 m there is little snow on the ground.

Precipitation will taper off during the morning, the clouds begin to disperse as of midday. Thereafter there will be some sunshine.At 2000 m: -3 to +1 degree; at 3000 m: -8 to -4 degrees. Southerly foehn wind will be blowing at 40-60 km/h.

On Friday, temperatures will rise further amid southerly foehn winds, the zero-degree level will ascend to 2500 m. Recent fresh snow will moisten, further naturally triggered wet loose-snow avalanches will trigger in the old snow.