Tennen Mountains, Gosaukamm

Fresh snow blankets older drifts

Fresh snow blankets older drifts

Avalanche danger is the result of recent and current wind impact. Above timberline: CONSIDERABLE. Avalanche prone locations focus on leeward steep slopes in NW/E/S aspects and on steep gullies. Danger zones become more frequent with ascending altitude above the treeline. An avalanche can be triggered especially by large additional loading (a group, a fall), in transition zones from shallow to deep snow and in isolated cases by the weight of one sole person. Small-to-medium sized avalanches are possible.

Amid rising temperatures, strong southerly foehn winds on Wednesday transported the fresh snow and created windblown zones. Snowdrifts deposited atop loosely-packed snow are prone to triggering. On Wednesday night, an additional 10-20 cm of fresh cold snow is anticipated which will again be transported, this time by strong W/NW winds. The old snowpack is relatively compact. In the classic backcountry ski touring regions there are not pronounced or relevant weak layers. A potential old snow problem exists in northern aspects above 2200 m.

On Thursday, visibility in the mountains will frequently be limited by heavy cloud and snowfall. During the day, weather conditions will improve, the snowfall slacken off in the afternoon. Brisk to strong W/NW winds will be blowing. Temperature at 2000 m: -9 degrees; at 3000 m, -15 degrees. On Friday, good visibility, frequent sunshine. In the afternoon, high altitude cloud cover will move in from the west, create diffuse light conditions. Foehn-induced southerly winds will arise, reach 40-60 km/hr at high altitude. Temperature at 2000 m: -7 degrees; at 3000 m: -12 degrees.

Amid intensifying southerly wind, fresh snowdrift accumulations will be generated, deposited on north-facing slopes atop a cold/loose base and be prone to triggering. Avalanche danger on Friday will probably remain CONSIDERABLE.