Goldberg Group Central

Beware of fresh wind slab, avalanche prone locations in persistent weak layers are rare but have serious consequences

Beware of fresh wind slab, avalanche prone locations in persistent weak layers are rare but have serious consequences

The avalanche risk is considerable above the tree line and low below. Avalanches in wind slabs can be triggered very easily by individuals, in particular in the north-west to east aspects. Danger areas are located behind terrain edges as well as in steep gullies and bowls and in the forest boundary area. Avalanches can reach medium size, and avalanches can occasionally become large by tearing through deeper weak layers in the persistent weak layer. Above 2000 m, in the aspects from west to north to east, medium and occasionally large, dry slab avalanches can still be triggered by individuals in persistent weak layers in a few places. Such avalanche prone locations are rare but often not recognisable in the terrain. Take particular care at the transitions from little to more snow. In sunny conditions, small loose snow avalanches can usually be triggered from extremely steep sunny slopes.

10 to 25 cm of new fallen snow on top of a thin layer of new and wind slab snow from the past few days. Beneath this lies soft, faceted snow in shady high areas. Otherwise, there is often a thin melt-freeze crust under the thin layer of fresh snow. Deeper in the snowpack, faceted crystals can be found on a crust; close to the ground, the snowpack consists of angular, cup-shaped crystals. The connection at the transition to the deep snowpack near the ground is still poor. Deep and sunny middle layers were largely covered with snow before the snowfall.

During the night, it will snow for a longer period of time and heavily in the north-facing slopes of the mountains with a snowfall level of around 500 metres. In the Hohe Tauern area, 5 to 20 cm of new fallen snow will accumulate by Tuesday morning. Tuesday will see changeable weather with lots of clouds, a few snow showers throughout the day and some sunshine in between, especially in the afternoon. The snowfall level will rise to around 800 metres during the day. The amount of new fallen snow over the day will be 5 to 10 cm. At 2000 metres the temperature will be around -7 degrees and at 3000 metres around -15 degrees. In the open high altitudes of the Tauern, north winds will blow at around 60 km/h.

No significant change in avalanche danger.