Goldberg Group Central

Snowdrift accumulations prone to triggering

Snowdrift accumulations prone to triggering

Avalanche danger above 2000 m is MODERATE, below that altitude danger is low. Blanketed snowdrift accumulations can be triggered by 1 person in high and high-alpine terrain as a medium-sized slab. Most danger zones occur in steep terrain (>30°) on N/E/SW facing slopes behind discontinuities and in wind-loaded gullies and bowls. Frequency of avalanche prone locations increases with ascending altitude. Snowdrift masses can be covered, thus, difficult to recognize. Due to solar radiation and diffuse light, small loose-snow avalanches can release naturally in extremely steep (>40°) terrain. In places, small loose-snow avalanches can be triggered by 1 person. In isolated cases, glide-snow avalanches, medium-sized, can release naturally at any time, esp. where the snow fell on bare ground. Avoid zones below glide cracks.

Atop a thoroughly moist snowpack, 40-80 cm of cold snow lies deposited at high altitudes. In transitions from the old snowpack to the fresh snow masses, bonding is good, but poor in the upper layers of the fresh snow, due to wind impact on Saturday, but the drifts will quickly consolidate. Reserves of cold in the old snow are limited to shady slopes above 2600 m. On rock plates and grassy slopes which were bare prior to the precipitation the snowpack is increasingly wet at ground level and can glide away.

On Monday, good visibility, intermittent sunshine, some residual fog hiding the peaks. Isolated snow showers in Pinzgau are possible, elsewhere it will be dry. Light to moderate N/E winds. At 2000 m: -8 to -3 degrees; at 3000 m: -13 degrees.

Avalanche danger levels are not expected to change significantly.