Goldberg Group Central

Isolated danger zones due to persistent weak layer

On Monday, a cold front from the northwest will reach us. In the afternoon in the northern regions in particular, snowfall will set in. Winds will be strong to stormy. Fresh snowdrift accumulations will be generated. Avalanche danger levels will increase.

Isolated danger zones due to persistent weak layer

Avalanche danger above 2200 m is MODERATE, below that altitude dange is LOW. Main danger: weak layers in the old snowpack which are seldom but difficult to recognize. Least favourable: very steep shady slopes above 2200 m and sunny slopes above 2800 m. Due to the fresh snowfall of recent weeks, these layers are generally triggerable only by large additional loading. On very steep (>35°) convex terrain or at rocky precipices (transitions from shallow to deep snow), isolated skiers can cause fractures down to deeper layers - mostly medium-sized. Along the Main Alpine Ridge, fresh snowdrift accumulations have been generated on S/W facing slopes, mostly small but prone to triggering. Freshly wind-loaded zones should be circumvented, esp, where there is a risk of taking a fall. As a result of solar radiation, small loose-snow avalanches can be expected on extremely steep slopes (>40°).

In the lowermost part of the snowpack on shady slopes above 2200 m, and on sunny slopes above 2800 m, there are isolated trigger-sensitive weak layers, sometimes faceted crystals, sometimes melt-freeze crusts, and depth hoar near the ground. The intermediate part of the snowpack is generally compact and well consolidated. On steep sunny slopes there is surface hoar up to high altitudes and a melt-freeze crust. On the surface there is mostly 5-10 cm of cold, unbonded snow which fell on Friday. Freshly formed snowdrift masses have been generated on the Main Alpine Ridge due to northerly winds. They lie deposited near ridgelines and are generally small-sized.

On Sunday, visibility is initially reduced at low lying areas due to high fogbanks, sunshine above its ceiling. The pleasant conditions with good visibility will continue throughout the day, mostly only light NW/NE winds. At 2000 m: -6 degrees; at 3000 m: -9 degrees.