Tennen Mountains, Gosaukamm

Fresh and older snowdrifts

Fresh and older snowdrifts

Avalanche danger levels are the result of recent and current wind impact. Above the treeline: CONSIDERABLE. Avalanche prone locations focus on leeward steep NW/E/S facing slopes and on steep gullies. Danger zones tend to increase frequently in number with ascending altitude above the treeline. Triggering is possible even by minimum additional loading, i.e. the weight of one sole person. Triggerings are especially likely in transitions from shallow to deep snow and behind high-altitude protruberances in the landscape. Small-to-medium (in isolated cases, large) slab avalanches are possible.

On Friday, strong southerly winds will be blowing (just as on Wednesday) which will generate fresh snowdrifts and deposit them on north-facing slopes. On Thursday the cold fresh snow (10-20 cm) was transported by NW winds, deposited on east-facing slopes. The old snowpack is relatively compact, in the classic December backcountry touring regions there are no pronounced or relevant weak layers evident. A potential old snow problem exists on north-facing slopes above 2200 m.

On Friday, frequent sunshine. In the afternoon, high-altitude clouds will move in from the west, create diffuse light conditions. Winds will shift to southerly and reach 40-60 km/hr. Temperature at 2000 m: -8 degrees. On Saturday, strong NW winds. Visibility limited. At 2000 m: -9 degrees.

Snowdrift accumulations will be generated repeatedly, sometimes deposited on north-facing slopes, sometimes on east-facing slopes.