Kreuzeck Group

Isolated danger zones in gullies and bowls

Isolated danger zones in gullies and bowls

Older and fresher snowdrift accumulations are generally small-sized, triggerable only in isolated cases, esp.on wind-protected shady slopes at high altitudes, esp. in transitions into gullies and bowls and at the foot of rocky cliffs and behind protruberances in the landscape. These danger zones occur seldom. Apart from the risks of being buried in snow masses, the danger of being swept along and forced to take a fall require consideration. On very steep sunny slopes, isolated small wet loose-snow avalanches are possible.

The snowdrifts blanket a weak old snowpack, esp. on wind-protected shady slopes. The snowpack is expansively metamorphosed. Sunshine and warmth are leading to a moistening of the snowpack during the course of the day, esp. on very steep sunny slopes. The snowpack is highly diverse even over small areas. Very little snow on the ground. Hardly any snow on the ground regionally below 1600m.

On Saturday, pleasant and predominantly sunny weather will prevail with but a few innocuous thin clouds. Moderate-to-strong W/SW winds will reach speeds of 50 km/hr in the afternoon. At 1000m: 7 degrees at midday; 2000m: between 1 and 5 degrees. Source: GeoSphere Austria.

Increase of avalanche danger levels due to fresh snow and wind