Avalanche forecast

Significant rise in avalanche danger as snowfall intensifies

Significant rise in avalanche danger as snowfall intensifies

Danger level 4 - “high” - will be reached above 1800m starting at midday. Due to intensive snowfall, increasingly frequent naturally triggered avalanches can be expected during the course of the day, also large-sized releaes, even by minimum additional loading. Remote triggerings are possible, particularly on steep wind-protected slopes where there has been lots of fresh snow. Also treacherous: the foot of rock walls. On extremely steep stopes, mostly small loose-snow avalanches can be expected. In isolated cases the thoroughly wet snowpack can be swept along, which lengthens the plummet zone of the release. In addition, during the afternoon in the major areas of precipitation, mostly small-sized glide-snow avalanches can release in isolated cases. Exposed sectors of transportation route can be endanged from place to place. A great deal of experience in the assessment of avalanche dangers is imperative.

Above 1800m, 50-120cm of fresh snow was registered, locally more. During the nighttime hours, above 1200m, another 15-30 cm of fresh snow is expected. Strong winds have intensively transported the fresh fallen snow. In the upper part of the snowpack esp. on shady wind-protected slopes there are weak soft layers evident. Shady wind-protected zones above 1800m: lots of fresh snow and drifts lie atop an unfavorable old snowpack surface. Shallow-snow shady slopes above 1800m: fresh snow and drifts will be deposited atop a weak old snowpack. Sunny slopes above 2200m: fresh snow and drifts lie atop a crust. Shady slopes below 1800m: the fresh snow lies atop a thoroughly wet old snowpack.

On Wednesday the summits will often be in the clear, sunshine will prevail, with only light cloud cover and good visibility. A moderate southerly wind will be blowing, windspeeds reaching 40 km(hr. At 1000m: +5 degrees at midday; at 2000m, -3 degrees. Source: GeoSphere Austria

Naturally triggered slab avalanches will decrease when the intensive snowfall comes to an end