Gliding snow
- All elevations
Top springtime conditions in early hours, daytime cycle below 2400m
On Thursday, cloudless skies, hardly any wind, outstanding visibility, slightly higher air moisture. Temperature at 2000 m: +5 degrees. On Friday, predominantly sunshine, some convective cloud later on, some peaks will be shrouded. Minor showers are possible. Hardly any wind. Temperatures unchanged.
Top springtime conditions in early hours, daytime cycle below 2400m
Avalanche danger in the morning is LOW at all altitudes, then increases due to loss of snowpack firmness to MODERATE below 2400m. On sun-drenched steep slopes (SE/S/SW) starting at midday, naturally triggered or skier-triggered small-to-medium wet loose-snow avalanches are possible (SE slopes), mostly in extremely steep terrain. Glide-snow avalanches (medium-to-isolated-large sized) in very steep grass-covered terrain are possible at any time of day or night, though the likelihood is greatest in afternoon and in evening. Heed glide cracks.
The snowpack is capable of bearing loads to start with. In some places hard as steel and icy. During the day the snow slowly softens up. On sunny slopes the uppermost 10-15 cm become soft, on west-facing and north-facing slopes the snow remain hard for longer. Sporadic glide-snow activity is increasing day by day in extremely steep terrain.
On Friday and over the weekend, basically unchanged conditions, clear nights, perfect mornings (depending on aspect and altitude): danger level MODERATE. Please note: altitude and aspect play a major role both for the perfect moment and for the prevailing risk. In the afternoon the wet-snow / glide-snow problem is heightened (level: MODERATE) due to higher air moisture.
Bulletin data: Avalanche Warning Service Salzburg (CC BY 4.0)