Goldberg Group Central

Assess steep shady slopes above 2400m with caution

Assess steep shady slopes above 2400m with caution

Avalanche danger above 2400m is moderate, below that altitude danger is low. Slab avalanches can be triggered by one sole skier and in unfavorable circumstances reach medium size where snow is sufficient or if fractures down to more deeply embedded layers occur. Danger zones occur esp. on NW/N/E facing slopes, esp. near ridgelines and behind protruberances in the terrain and at entries into steep gullies and bowls. During the course of the day, naturally triggered loose-snow avalanches can be expected in extremely steep south-facing terrain below 2800m. On steep grass-covered slopes, isolated small glide-snow avalanches are possible.

Settled fresh snow has been deposited on steep shady slopes above 2400m atop an expansively metamorphosed snowpack which is prone to triggering in places. Weak layers in the lowermost part of the snowpack are no longer likely to trigger. On sunny slopes and at lower altitudes, the bonding of fresh fallen snow to the old snowpack is generally good, the surface moistens during the daytime, forms a thin melt-freeze crust at night - not capable of bearing loads - and can forfeit bonding.

Following a night of star-studded skies, mostly radiant sunshine on Wednesday, outstanding visibility in the dry air. Brisk to stormy southerly winds in exposed terrain.. At midday at 2000m: -1 to +6 degrees; at 3000m: -3 degrees.

No significant change expected. Caution urged towards fresh fallen snow in foehn-impacted regions. On sunny slopes, daytime snowpack moistening.