Weisseck, Muhr Valley

Rainfall weakens the snowpack, new fallen snow high above

Rainfall weakens the snowpack, new fallen snow high above

The avalanche risk is already considerable below around 2500 metres in the morning. Wet slab avalanches and loose snow avalanches are to be expected on slopes that have not yet been discharged with rain. This applies to those aspects where there is still a lot of snow. The avalanches can occur spontaneously or be triggered by people. They can become large when wet snow collects and tears through the persistent weak layer in some places. Caution should also be exercised in the open run-out areas of trenches. There are isolated signs of sliding snow activity.

In a few places above 2400 m, weak layers can also be disturbed directly in the persistent weak layer, especially on west, north and east-facing slopes, and also south-facing slopes in the high Alps. Snow slabs in persistent weak layers remain predominantly medium sized. The avalanche prone locations are difficult to recognise.

Strong southerly foehn winds deposited small pillows of wind drifted snow in high gullies and bowls on Monday, which are locally covered with new fallen snow and are difficult to recognise.

It is slightly colder than before. Despite this, the snowpack has difficulty cooling down overnight and is already softened in the morning. Beneath it lies well-settled snow from the last periods of precipitation, but softer layers are embedded, especially at higher altitudes, which allow breaks near the surface. On shady slopes from around 2400 metres, there are still weak layers of angular forms and deep rime in the old snowpack close to the ground. The snowpack becomes moist to wet up to high altitudes during daytime changes at the latest. Low and sunny slopes are covered in snow.

During the night, some new fallen snow on the main Alpine ridge and in the Nockberge mountains (snowfall level just above 2000 metres). The wind will weaken, only in the high Alps will there still be peaks of around 70 km/h in the first half of the night. It will remain very cloudy throughout the night. Tomorrow, Tuesday, dense clouds will predominate with occasional rain and snowfall, with visibility severely limited everywhere in the high Alps. Snow will fall above 1800 to 2200 metres. By the evening, 5 to 10 cm of new fallen snow will accumulate at high altitudes and 15 to 25 cm directly on the main Alpine ridge. Only weak winds from the west to northwest. At 2000 m 1 to 3 degrees, at 3000 m around -3 degrees.

The wet snow problem remains.