Goldberg Group Central

Weak old snow and fresh snowdrifts

Weak old snow and fresh snowdrifts

Avalanche danger above 2000 m is MODERATE, below that altitude danger is LOW. Avalanches can in some places be triggered easily in the weak old snow and grow to medium size, on shady slopes above the timberline and on sunny slopes above 2600 m. Fresh snowdrift accumulations lie deposited on N/E facing slopes, mostly small but prone to triggering These danger zones increase with ascending altitude and, moreover, are difficult to recognize due to poor visibility. Isolated glide-snow avalanches continue to be possible on steep grass-covered slopes.

Due to a cold front Wednesday night, 5-10 cm of fresh snow fell over widespread areas. Fresh, trigger-sensitive snowdrifts accumulated on N/E facing slopes. On shady slopes at high altitudes and in the high alpine regions, on sunny slopes above 2600m, there are expansively metamorphosed (faceted) layers deeply embedded inside the snowpack which are now blanketed by the fresh snow and snowdrifts from the last few days. The snowpack shows great wind impact at high altitudes, and is irregular. At low and intermediate altitudes (<2000 m) there is little snow on the ground.

Clouds will dominate from early morning on Friday, hamper visibility. In the Northern Alps, rainfall can begin starting at midday (snowfall above 1400 m). In the Tauern and Nockberge it will remain dry, but cloud cover will dominate and in the afternoon rainfall (snow showers above 1200 m) will pass through. Brisk westerly winds will arise in the afternoon. At 2000 m: -1 degree; at 3000 m: -8 degrees.

Little change. Caution urged towards snowdrifts and weak old snow.