Goldberg Group Central

Evaluate snowdrifts and persistent weak layer problem with great caution

Evaluate snowdrifts and persistent weak layer problem with great caution

Avalanche danger above 2000m is MODERATE, below that altitude danger is low. On NW/N/S facing slope small-to-medium slab avalanches can be triggerd by minimum additional loading in places, higher up also on south-facing slopes. The snowdrift accumulations are generally easy to recognize, danger zones occur mostly near ridgelines and behind protruberances in the landscape. Size and frequency of danger zones tend to increase with ascending altitude. As of 2300m, releases can fracture down to more deeply embedded layers inside the snowpack and grow to larger size. Small glide-snow and loose-snow avalanches can trigger naturally.

The snow cover has below average depths, is highly irregular and the layering is rather poor. In wind-protected zones, increasingly frequent crusts with immediately adjacent faceted crystals are evident, sometimes with blanketed surface hoar. With ascending altitude there are weak layers of faceted crystals evident between crusts.

On Wednesday, rapidly deteriorating visibility, dense clouds, soon bringing snowfall. During the afternoon hours, snowfall intensity will ease off slightly. All in all in the Tauern: 10-15 cm of fresh snow expected. Winds esp. in high alpine regions will be strong to stormy from north to northwest. At 2000m: dropping to -7 degrees; at 3000m: to -12 degrees.

Snowdrift problem is receding