Osterhorn Group,Gamsfeld Group

Tense avalanche situation, self-restraint necessary

Tense avalanche situation, self-restraint necessary

Avalanche danger is considerable. Due to storm winds and large amounts of fresh snow, many avalanches can trigger naturally, possibly reaching medium size. Danger zones in all aspects in wind-protected terrain, increase with ascending altitude. Medium-sized glide-snow avalanches can release naturally up to summit levels at any time of day, on steep smooth slopes (grass, rocks) in all aspects. Furthermore, due to rain impact wet loose-snow avalanches are possible in extremely steep terrain, mostly small sized.

Stormy winds have done their work on the snowpack, crests and ridges are windblown, snowdrifts lie far from ridgelines. The massive amounts of transported fresh snow was deposited at high altitudes on shady slopes atop a loose snowpack surface. Even where the surface was encrusted, the crust formed a faceted weak layer in some places. In addition, weak near-surface layers are forming inside the masses of fresh fallen snow. At intermediate to low altitudes, rain and snow are increasing the weight load on the snowpack. The entire snow cover can glide downhill over smooth ground. Due to rain impact, the snowpack is forfeiting its firmness at low altitudes.

Persistent and heavy snowfall will continue through the night, focal point in the classic northern barrier cloud regions but also in the Tauern. Near the Osterhorn range max. 20-30 cm expected. Snowfall level will ascend from the west to just over 1000 m in the evening. Snowfall accompanied by high wind impact, the NW wind will often reach gale strength. Intermittent snowfall in the morning, most in the eastern ranges. Visibility severely reduced. Snowfall level initially at 1200 m, later ascending to 1500 m. Precipitation will slacken off in the afternoon, winds from the west will reach 100 km/hr, massive snow transport is the result. At 2000 m: -2 degrees, at 3000 m: -9 degrees.

Snowdrift accumulations are bonding better with the old snowpack surface. Gliding snow problem persists.