Glockner Group Pasterze

On wind-loaded slopes avalanches can fracture in ground-level layers

On wind-loaded slopes avalanches can fracture in ground-level layers

Weak layers in the old snow can be triggered particularly on wind-loaded slopes by one single winter sports enthusiast. The somewhat older snowdrift accumulations are easily recognized for the practiced tourers. Danger zones tend to increase in high alpine regions. Avalanches can be medium sized in isolated cases. Avalanche headquarters have little information from high alpine regions. For that reason, the situation must be cautiously evaluated on-site. Apart from the risks of being buried in snow masses, the danger of being swept along and forced to take a fall need to be taken into consideration.

The somewhat older snowdrift accumulations now blanket a weak old snowpack above 2200m. The upper layers of the snowpack are soft; the lower layers are faceted. At all altitudes there is still little snow on the ground for this juncture of the season. The snowpack is highly irregular, even over small areas.

On Thursday, unhampered sunshine is forecast, with some fog in low lying areas. The rather flat fogbanks will soon disperse. Temperatures will rise, from -2 at 2000m and -7 at 3000m. Light-to-moderate NE winds will prevail.

Snowdrift accumulations demand cautious assessment.