Weisseck, Muhr Valley

Blanketed danger zones at high altitudes

Blanketed danger zones at high altitudes

Isolated avalanche prone locations for dry-snow slab avalanches are found particularly on shady slopes above 2400 m, where fresh snowdrifts have been deposited in gullies and bowls from the southerly winds of the last few days. On Monday night the snowdrifts will be blanketed by fresh snow, making them difficult to recognize. Small slab avalanches can be triggered even by one single winter sports enthusiast, in some cases even medium-sized releases, particularly in steep terrain (>35°). Caution: avalanche prone locations lurk wherever skiing is possible without contact with rocks, that is, in wind-loaded areas. In high alpine regions behind ridges and abrupt changes in the terrain, moderately strong westerly winds will form new snowdrift accumulations on Tuesday. These will be small-sized and easy to recognize, pending good visibility. In terrain where skier can be forced to take a fall, they should be avoided. As a result of solar radiation, small dry-snow loose avalanches can be expected in extremely steep terrain (>40°). At lower altitudes, avalanche danger is low. Bel0w 2500 m there is little risk from glide-snow avalanches, especially on steep, smooth grass-covered slopes.

Especially on leeward shady slopes at high altitude, fresh snowdrifts from the weekend were deposited atop a quite weak snowpack surface. The wind-transported snow blankets a soft layer of mostly faceted crystals, potentially a weak layer. On Monday night, 10-15 cm of fresh snowfall is anticipated which will be blanketed over by fresh trigger-sensitive snowdrift accumulations. As a result of moderate strength westerly winds, isolated fresh snowdrift accumulations will form on the ridgelines in high alpine regions. In general for winter sports enthusiasts active away from secured ski runs in outlying terrain: there is not much snow on the ground. Above 2000 m, the overall snow depth is 30-60- cm, but variably distributed. Wind-exposed terrain is bare, gullies and bowls are filled to the brim.

Tuesday: on Tuesday, sunny weather will soon prtevail, fog in the valleys. Visibility will be good, a brisk westerly wind will be blowing in the high alpine regions. At 2000 m, -5 to -3 degrees; at 3000 m, -10 to -8 degrees. Temperatures slowly rising during the daytime. Wednesday: Mostly dry, with some sunshine. Winds will be moderate to brisk from the northwest. At 2000 m, -7 to -5 degrees; at 3000 m, -11 degrees.

Avalanche danger levels are not expected to change significantly. In high alpine regions, ongoing moderate danger of dry-snow avalanches.