Weisseck, Muhr Valley

Heed snowdrift accumulations near ridgelines

Heed snowdrift accumulations near ridgelines

Avalanche danger about 2500 m is MODERATE, below that altitude danger is LOW. Danger stems mostly from fresh snowdrift accumulations, mostly on ridgeline slopes, in gullies and bowls, often easily triggered. The frequency of avalanche prone locations increases with ascending altitude. Slabs are generally small-sized, sometimes medium-size where there is more snow. Fractures down to more deeply embedded layers inside the snowpack will be highly rare. Naturally triggered loose-snow avalanches are possible on sun-drenched rocky steep slopes. In isolated cases, small glide-snow avalanches are possible.

The fresh snow from Friday and freshly generated snowdrifts from NW winds have settled, thanks to rising temperatures. This often blanketed an irregular shallow snowpack, particularly in the wind-loaded gullies and bowls in all aspects. On high alpine shady slopes the layering is unfavourable due to a sequence of melt-freeze crusts and faceted crystals inside the snowpack fundament, sometimes with blanketed surface hoar. In those places, older hardened snowpack masses also occur. On steep grasse-covered slopes the entire snowpack glides over the ground.

During the night, widespread cloud layers will move in. On Monday, visibility will be mostly adequate, the clouds will remain above summit level. Light conditions can be diffuse in the morning hours. No precipitation. Winds will be southerly, possibly reaching 30 km/hr. Temperatures will rise another notch: at 2000 m, 5 degrees; at 3000 m -1 degree. On Tuesday, good visibility, mostly sunshine. Thin, high-altitude cirrus clouds above the summits will not disturb. Winds will remain light. At 2000 m: 6 degrees; at 3000 m: 3 degrees.

No significant change is expected.