Goldberg Group Central

Wet snow is the main problem, be careful in the rain

Wet snow is the main problem, be careful in the rain

The avalanche risk is already considerable below around 2800 m in the morning. Wet slab avalanches and loose snow avalanches are possible in all aspects on slopes that have not yet been discharged or are to be expected in the event of rain. The avalanches can occur spontaneously or be triggered by individuals. They can become large with the accumulation of wet snow and tearing through the persistent weak layer in some places. Caution should also be exercised in the open run-out areas of trenches. There are isolated signs of sliding snow activity.

In a few places above 2200 m, weak layers can also be disturbed directly in the persistent weak layer, especially on west, north and east-facing slopes, and also south-facing slopes in the high Alps. Snow slabs in the persistent weak layer can be medium in size, and large if they break through into the floating snow near the ground. The avalanche prone locations are difficult to recognise.

Strong southerly föhn winds deposit small pillows of wind drifted snow in high gullies and bowls. Be careful at the transition from a little to a lot of snow.

It is only slightly colder than before. Nevertheless, the snowpack has difficulty cooling down overnight and is already softened in the morning. Beneath it lies well-settled snow from the last periods of precipitation, but softer layers are embedded, especially at higher altitudes, which allow breaks near the surface. On shady slopes from around 2200 metres, there are still prone to triggering weak layers of angular forms and deep rime in the old snowpack close to the ground. The snowpack becomes moist to wet up to high altitudes during daytime changes at the latest. Low and sunny slopes are snowed out.

During the night, dense clouds will move through again and again. Temperatures at 2000 m around +4 degrees, at 3000 m around -3 degrees. Tomorrow, Monday, dense clouds will build up on the Tauern from the south. Further north, denser clouds will continue to move through, but there will also be some sunshine from time to time. In the afternoon, spring clouds may bring isolated showers. Strong to stormy southerly winds at high altitudes. Temperatures at 2000 m: 4 to 9 degrees, at 3000 m -3 to 0 degrees. Sahara dust will also be in the air again.

In the course of Tuesday night, the Föhn will break down, followed by light precipitation with a snowfall level of around 2200 metres. Rain and reduced outgoing longwave radiation at night weaken the snowpack.