Glockner Group Pasterze

Dangerous avalanche situation at high altitude

Dangerous avalanche situation at high altitude

Enduring precipitation: medium and in isolated cases large-sized naturally triggered avalanches are possible in high-altitude starting zones, esp. during the course of the night in the major areas of precipitation. One sole skier can easily trigger avalanches. Remote triggerings are possible, esp. on shady wind-protected slopes where the fresh snowfall has been heavy. Especially treacherous are the foot of rock walls. Avalanches can in isolated cases sweep along the wet snowpack, which extends the plummet path of the releases. In addition, in the major areas of precipitation, mostly small glide-snow avalanches are possible. As a result of solar radiation, increaslingly frequent mostly small loose-snow avalanches can be expected. A great deal of experience is imperative in the assessment of avalanche danger.

Above 1800m, 50-60cm of snow was registered, locally more. During the night above 1000m, 10-20 cm of snowfall is still expected. The strong-velocity winds have intensively transported the snow. In the uppermost part of the snowpack, particularly on shady wind-protected slopes, there are soft weak layers. Shady, wind-protected zones above 2400m: lots of fresh snowfall and drifts are being deposited atop unfavorable old snowpack surfaces. Shady slopes where the snow is shallow above 1800m: fresh snow and drifts are being deposited atop a weak old snowpack. Sunny slopes above 2400m: fresh snow and drifts are being deposited atop crusts. Extremely steep grass-covered slopes below 2400m: weather conditions are generally increasing the dange rof glide-snow avalanches. Shady slopes below 1800m: the fresh snow lies deposited atop a thoroughly wet old snowpack.

Naturally triggered activity of slab avalanches will decrease