Weisseck, Muhr Valley

Fresh snowdrift masses from variable winds

Fresh snowdrift masses from variable winds

Caution: the situation is different from the last few days! CONSIDERABLE snowdrift problem in the exposed foehn lanes above the timberline, and with ascending altitude As westerly winds intensify, new and, in the wind-exposed zones, wide-ranging avalanche prone locations are being created. This applies to gullies, steep bowls and steep slopes in N/E/S aspects. Avalanches can be triggered even by the weight of one single skier, and grow to dangerously large size.

The foehn winds will continue to generate snowdrift accumulations and deposit them in ridgeline terrain. They are not especially large or deep, but easily triggered atop the cold, loose powder snow. The older snow from this week has settled somewhat on sunny slopes. It lies deposited on an older, melt-freeze encrusted surface. The soft layer just below the crust (faceted crystals from December) is currently not relevant.

On Sunday the peaks will mostly be veiled in clouds, repeated bouts of snowfall are expected. On Saturday night, brisk to storm-strength foehn wind. During the daytime on Sunday, brisk NW winds in high altitudes. At 2000 m: -10 degrees; at 3000 m: -15 degrees. On Monday, snowfall and clouds will reduce visibility heavily. Particularly between Loferer Steinberge and Gosaukamm, persistent snowfall is anticipated, 5-15 cm of fresh snow is expected. Temperatures will not change.

All in all, avalanche danger increasing slightly within the current danger levels. Main problem remains the fresh snowdrifts above the treeline.