Goldberg Group Central

Weak old snowpack layering + trigger-sensitive snowdrift accumulations at high altitude: restraint and cautious route selection required!

Weak old snowpack layering + trigger-sensitive snowdrift accumulations at high altitude: restraint and cautious route selection required!

Avalanche danger above 2200m is considerable, below that altitude danger is moderate. Avalanches can be triggered even by minimum additional loading above 2200m, particularly near ridgelines, in gullies and bowls and behind protruberances in the landscape in W/N/E aspects. Danger zones tend to increase in frequency with ascending altitude. Above 2200m avalanches can be triggered from more deeply embedded layers inside the snowpack and often grow to large size. Circumvent zones below glide cracks. Due to solar radiation, mostly small-sized loose-snow avalanches can be expected on extremely steep sunny slopes.

The fresh snow has been transported far-reachingly. Exposed ridges and crests are windblown, gullies and bowls even at forest rims are filled to the brim. Above 2000m the snowdrifts often lie atop loose snow on extended north-facing slopes. Above 2200m the snowpack layering is unfavorable, with several weak layers of faceted crystals. In some places the covered surface hoar is prone to triggering. The entire snowpack can glide over steep rock plates or grassy slopes.

Nocturnal skies will be star-studded, mostly without high fog. Winds will be light everywhere. At 2000m: between 3 and 5 degrees; at 3000m: between -2 and 0 degrees. On Friday, radiantly sunny weather will continue, local high-fogbanks in the valleys will soon disperse. Winds light to moderate. At high altitudes, very mild. At 2000m: +5 degreese; at 3000m: -1 degree. Skies on Friday night will again be cloudless and have only light winds.

The proneness to triggering of snowdrift accumulations will gradually diminish. The persistent weak layer will remain.