Goldberg Group Central

Caution urged towards shallow-snow zones and old foehn-induced snowdrifts

Caution urged towards shallow-snow zones and old foehn-induced snowdrifts

Avalanche danger above 2000 m is MODERATE (2), below that altitude danger is LOW (1). Caution urged in shallow-snow zones on shady north-facing slopes and in high alpine steep terrain, where large additional loading can trigger a hidden persistent weak layer. The older foehn-induced snowdrifts from Thursday are still triggerable in places by large additional loading. Potential avalanches can grow to medium-to-large size. The most danger zones occur in W/N/E aspect in terrain distant from ridges and in steep gullies. The cold fresh snow from today and yesterday is enough only for thin, small snowdrift patches near ridges. Heightened Heightened risk of falling in extremely steep terrain.

There was 5-10 cm of cold powder depositeed atop a compact old snowpack surface. Near ridges the surface is wind-impacted, but not much snowdrift was generated. The old snowpack beneath has settled well, also the recent layers of drifts from foehn wind on Thursday have bonded with the soft layers beneath them. Inside the old snowpack are soft layers of faceted crystals, which are currently not a threat.

On Saturday it will be clear and sunny, but cold and stormy. Brisk northerly winds at 50-60 km/hr. At 2000 m: -11 degrees. On Sunday, unimpeded sunshine. Fogbanks will recede in the morning. At 2000 m: -7 degrees.

Little change on Sunday