Tennen Mountains, Gosaukamm

Fresh snowdrifts highly prone to triggering

Fresh snowdrifts highly prone to triggering

Avalanche danger above 1400m is CONSIDERABLE. The main problem is freshly generated snowdrift accumulations which can trigger a small, and in isolated cases also a medium-sized slab avalanche even by minimum addiitional loading. Danger zones for slab avalanches occur particularly on N/SE facing slopes and in steep ridgeline terrain. In case of rainfall, naturally triggered small wet loose-snow avalanches are possible in extremely steep terrain. And in very steep, unstructured terrain, e.g. grassy slopes, also naturally triggered glide-snow avalanches.

Fresh snow and snowdrifts (with graupel) blanket an unfavourable surface hoar, cover the snowdrifts above the treeline which were generated by W/NW stormy winds on the weekend. The snow is distributed highly irregularly, ridges are often windblown, and the fresh snow does not cover the ground sufficiently. At low and intermediate altitudes the rain impact on Monday morning will weaken the snow quality. On very steep grassy slopes the snowpack can glide over the smooth ground.

In the latter part of Sunday night, strong NW winds will bring slightly higher temperatures and snow showers (10-15 cm). On Monday, more showers will follow, and the snowfall level ascend to 1500m. Visibility will be poor due to strong W/NW winds. At 2000m at midday: +2 degrees.

On Monday, the proneness to triggering of snowdrift accumulations will gradually decrease.