Avalanche forecast

Goldberg Group Central

LWD Salzburg
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Avalanche danger

Above 2,600 m· Morning
2 · Moderate
Below 2,600 m· Morning
1 · Low
Above 1,800 m· Afternoon
3 · Considerable
Below 1,800 m· Afternoon
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 3 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Significant rise in danger of wet-snow avalanches during daytime hours

Avalanche problems

  • Wind slab

    • All elevations

  • Wet snow

    • All elevations

  • Gliding snow

    • All elevations

Avalanche Activity

Significant rise in danger of wet-snow avalanches during daytime hours

Avalanche danger in the morning is MODERATE above 2600 m, below that altitude danger is LOW. During the daytime the danger of wet-snow avalanchees above 1800 m will rise to CONSIDERABLE. Tours in backcountry should be terminated early in the day. Morning: very favourable conditions for tours, isolated snowdrifts are prone to triggering, mostly on very steep (>35°) shady slopes (NW/N/NE) above 2600 m. Danger lie behind abrupt discontinuities in the terrain, in ridgeline gullies and bowls and are easily spotted by those who have experience. They should be avoided. Most avalanches are small-sized. Afternoon: due to solar radiation and warmth, risks of wet snow avalanches rise sharply during the day above 1800 and up to 2600 m. On extremely steep (>40°) sunny slopes (E/S/W) small to medium naturally triggered wet loose-snow avalanches are possible. In addition, on west-facing slopes small-to-medium wet slab avalanches are possible to trigger naturally on steep grassy slopes or over smooth rock walls.

Snowpack Structure

Due to warmth and direct or diffuse solar radiation the snowdrifts have settled and consolidated. Only in high alpine shady terrain is the bonding still insufficient. Deep down in the snowpack above 2200 m there are faceted layers. The snowpack was moistened in all aspected up to 2200 m on Friday, on sunny slopes up to summit level. During the night of only partially clear skies the outgoing radiation will be reduced, the melt-freeze crust which forms will not be able to bear loads. It will soften up on Saturday. On steep sunny slopes it is wet down to the ground, on west-facing slopes it will become isotherm for the first time on Saturday, down to the ground. Due to wetness the snowpack loses its firmness. Weak layers are weakened further still. Also, free flowing water at ground level increases the gliding movement.

Weather Synopsis

Sunny weather all day long, light to moderate winds. At 2000m: 4 degrees; at 3000 m: -1 degree.

Tendency

Dropping temperatures, danger of wet-snow avalanches will recede.

Bulletin data: Avalanche Warning Service Salzburg (CC BY 4.0)

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