Pongau Grass Mountains

Avoid wind-loaded zones in E/S aspects

Avoid wind-loaded zones in E/S aspects

Danger of avalanches is MODERATE above the timberline, LOW below that altitude. Avalanche prone locations (due to snowdrifts) are found in gullies and steep bowls and on steep ridgeline slopes in NE/E/S aspects. An avalanche can be triggered even by minimum additional loading and grow to medium size.

There has been 10-25 cm of fresh snow registered on top of a frequently melt-freeze encrusted, sometimes iced-over snowpack surface. Bonding is largely favorable due to mild temperatures, but W/N winds have deposited cold, bonded snow on top of it, often interspersed with graupel. In this loose layer fractures could propagate in the snowdrifts. Beneath the melt-freeze crusts (now covered) there is soft, faceted snow which can also serve as a fracture point.

On Thursday, light snowfall (strong in some places, max. 15 cm). Visibility initially impaired. The W/NW winds blowing at 30-40 km/hr. Wintery cold temperatures. At 2000 m: -11 degrees; at 3000 m: -18 degrees. On Friday, sunny from the start, flawless visibility. Winds no longer disturbing. Cold, at 2000 m: -8 degrees; at 3000 m: -12 degrees.

Wind-loaded zones need to be evaluated critically. Sunny weather on Friday should not deceive: dangers lurk!