Avalanche forecast

Considerable avalanche danger widespread, lots of fresh snow

Considerable avalanche danger widespread, lots of fresh snow

The great amounts of fresh snow can be triggered naturally as a loose-snow or slab avalanche in all aspects on steep slopes or can be triggered by minimum additional loading. Older snowdrift accumulations are covered by fresh snow, making them invisible to the naked eye. Avalanche prone locations are found particularly above the timberline near ridgelines on steep N/E/SE slopes and in wind-loaded gullies and bowls. In addition, on high-altitude shady steep slopes there are ground-level weak layers which can be triggered by large additional loading in transition zones from deep to shallow snow. At low and intermediate altitudes, glide-snow avalanches are triggering naturally on steep grass-covered slopes and in forest clearances. When avalanches fracture down to more deeply embedded layers of the snowpack they can grow to large size in isolated cases. Exposed areas can also be placed at risk.

By early morning there was 15-30 cm of fresh snow registered widespread, as much as 40 cm from place to place, which fell with only little wind influence. Bonding to the frequently loosely-packed old snowpack surface which is riddled with graupel is only moderate to poor, making it prone to triggering. At mid-level inside the snowpack on high-altitude shady slopes there are layers of faceted crystals.

The heavy snowfall during the night is gradually slackening off, but visibility will remain reduced. During the daytime an additional 10 cm of fresh snow is anticipated. Temperature at 2000 m: -9 degrees. High altitude winds: moderate from west to northwest.

Friday will bring more precipitation starting in the afternoon. It will remain cold. Due to further fresh snow and snowdrift accumulations the avalanche situation will remain tense. Andreas Pecl