Goldberg Group Central

Southerly foehn wind is generating drifts on north-facing slopes

Southerly foehn wind is generating drifts on north-facing slopes

Avalanche danger above about 2000 m is MODERATE, below that altitude danger is LOW. On north-facing steep slopes (esp. gullies and bowls) the fresh snowdrifts require attentiveness, they are often easily triggered. Southerly foehn wind will intensify on Thursday, generate fresh drifts and deposit them both near to and distant from ridgelines. Slab releases will generally remain small sized (medium-sized at most) due to the shallow snowpack. Fractures down to deeper layers will occur only in isolated cases.

Wind exposed terrain is utterly bare, the snow is mostly in gullies and bowls. The snow cover was able to settle on Wednesday. At high and high alpine altitudes on shady slopes the snowpack layering is often unfavourable, mostly in the lower part (of the still shallow snowpack) is a sequence of melt-freeze crusts and faceted crystals. Atop of that, fresh snowdrift accumulations on the latest batch of new snow.

On Thursday the day will start with good visibility and lots of sun. During the afternoon, intermediate altitude clouds will move in, generate diffuse light conditions. Southerly foehn will intensify, reach speeds of 80 km/hr by evening. At 2000 m: 0 degrees. On Friday, the peaks will often be shrouded in clouds, a bit of snowfall is possible. A moderately strong westerly wind will be blowing. At 2000 m: -2 degrees; at 3000 m: -6 degrees. Southerly winds will slacken off significantly by midday.

Little change is anticipated. Over the next few days, only a few centimetres of snowfall is expected.