Weisseck, Muhr Valley

Caution: fresh snowdrifts in high alpine regions, poor visibility

Caution: fresh snowdrifts in high alpine regions, poor visibility

Avalanche danger is MODERATE above 2500 m, below that altitude danger is LOW. Fresh snowdrifts have been deposited in gullies and north-facing bowls, often triggerable as a small-to-medium avalanche by minimum additional loading. Poor visibility makes on-site evaluation more difficult. Due to diffuse radiation and daytime warming, loose-snow and isolated slab avalanches or glide-snow avalanches (mostly small, seldom medium) can trigger in extremely steep terrain. Above 2400 m on shady slopes there are isolated danger zones where by large additional loading (a fall, stomping, superficial slab) a slab avalanche can trigger in the old snow which then can grow to large size.

The snowpack at high altitudes shows pronounced effects of the storm-strength southerly foehn winds, often compacted or bonded as snowdrifts. The old snowpack is generally compact, but without reserves of cold. In isolated cases a weak layer has formed around the layer of Sahara dust, but it is not likely to trigger but in exceptional cases.

On Monday, following a night of overcast skies, mostly heavy cloud cover and a bit of rainfall (snowfall above 1500-1900m). At 2000 m: -2 to +2 degrees; at 3000 m: -6 degrees. Moderate NW winds. On Tuesday, heavy cloud cover, widespread rainfall or snowfall as of midday, snowfall level at 1500-2000m. Towards evening the precipitation can become heavy. At 2000 m: 0 degrees; at 3000 m: -6 degrees. Moderate S/W winds.

On Tuesday, little change initially. As precipitation becomes heavier, frequency of danger zones for avalanches will increase in high and high altitude places.