Glockner Group Central

In high alpine regions avalanches can fracture in the old snowpack

In high alpine regions avalanches can fracture in the old snowpack

Avalanche danger increases with ascending alttiude, above the treeline danger is CONSIDERABLE. The major problem: freshly generated snowdrift accumulations which can trigger a medium-sized slab avalanche even by minimum addtional loading. Danger zones occur both near to and far from ridgelines behind protruberancees in the landscape and in steep gullies and bowls, particularly in NW/N/SE facing slopes. Above 2400m, avalanches fracturing from the surface layer can fracture deeper and grow to large size in isolated cases. In sun-bathed steep terrain, naturally triggered small wet loose-snow avalanches can release, and small glide-snow avalanches are possible in steep grassy terrain.

Since Friday there has been 15-30 cm of fresh snow registered widespread, up to 40 cm over small areas on the Main Alpine Ridge of the Glockner and Venediger Massifs (with graupel). Stromy W/NW winds have transported the snow far-reachingly. Fresh snow and drifts cover surface hoar in shady, wind-protected zones, also older drifts (generated by southerly foehn winds from last week) at high altitudes. The snowpack base above 2400m is often weakened by layers of faceted crystals. Their proneness to triggering has diminished somewhat at high altitudes due to higher temperatures (there was brief rainfall up to 2200m). At low and intermediate altitudes the snowpack is intensely moistened due to solar radiation and higher temperatures, and is thus losing its firmness.

During the night, skies will be intermittently clear, no precipitation is expected. On Tuesday, sunshine will dominate. Winds in exposed terrain will reach peaks of 60 km/hr during the morning hours, otherwise winds will be moderate. Extremely mild. At 2000m: +2 degrees; at 3000m: -4 degrees.

The snowdrifts’ proneness to triggering is slowly decreasing. Otherwise, little change expected on Wednesday.