Goldberg Group Central

Naturally triggered avalanches are still possible

Naturally triggered avalanches are still possible

The avalanche risk is moderate. Spontaneous wet snow avalanches are possible in places. Steep areas between 2200 m and 2600 m, where there is still a lot of snow, are particularly at risk. Avalanches usually remain medium in size, they can tear through the wet snow to the ground, run uncharacteristically wide and reach into the green.

Above around 2400 m, in the steep terrain from west to north to east, there are individual avalanche prone locations in the dry persistent weak layer, high alpine also in the southern sector. Take care in the transitions from little to lots of snow. Fresh snowdrift accumulations have formed above 2200 metres. Mostly small avalanches can be triggered there in places by slight additional load, be aware of the risk of falling.

Reduced outgoing longwave radiation at night often prevents the formation of a load-bearing melt-freeze crust. The snowpack consists of compact snow that is characterised by rain up to high altitudes. However, softer layers are embedded, especially at higher altitudes, which allow fractures near the surface. On shady slopes from around 2400 metres, there are still weak layers of angular forms and deep rime in the old snowpack close to the ground. The snowpack is moist to wet up to high altitudes. Low and sunny slopes are snowed out.

Rain and snow showers will pass through on Monday night. The snowfall level will drop to around 1200 metres, with snow remaining above around 1500 metres. Around 5 cm of new fallen snow may accumulate in the northern Alps and Tauern. On Monday, the weather will be changeable with clouds, sunshine and a few rain and snow showers in the afternoon in the northern Alps and Tauern region. The snowfall level will be around 1400 metres. At 2000 metres the temperature will be around -1 degree, at 3000 metres around -7 degrees. The north-westerly wind will reach speeds of around 60 km/h on the main Alpine ridge.

The outgoing longwave radiation at night is still limited and it remains cool. The danger of wet avalanches remains.