Weisseck, Muhr Valley

Isolated avalanche prone locations in the old snow due to snowdrifts and weak layers

Isolated avalanche prone locations in the old snow due to snowdrifts and weak layers

Avalanche danger is low. In a few places in steep terrain, minimum additional loading can trigger a small-to-medium sized slab avalanche. Danger zones due to fresh snowdrifts occur especially above 2200m in extended eastern aspects. In high alpine regions, in addition, slab avalanches can be triggered in the old snow on purely shady slopes (NW to NE). In general, there is still very little snow on the ground, thus the main danger stems from injuries in the terrain (falls, protruding stones, rocks, crevices, branches) rather than from snow and avalanches.

About 5-15 cm of fresh snow and some snowdrifts cover the old snowpack in high and high alpine regions. In shady gullies and bowls the snowpack consists of the September snow which was able to persist in part and now in the form of a melt-freeze crust forms the snowpack fundament. Between this base and the bonded November snow on top of it there are weak, faceted, trigger-sensitive intermediate layers. In addition, in shady zones surface hoar has formed which now has been blanketed over and creates a potential weak layer. Below 1800m the small amount of fresh snow was deposited for the most part on bare ground.

Following a night of cloudy skies, precipitation will set in early Tuesday morning: as rainfall to above 2000m to start with, the snowfall level then swiftly descending down toward 1500m. During the daytime, moderately heavy snowfall, slackening off in afternoon, with poor visibility. Above 1500m: 5-15 cm of fresh snow anticipated widespread. Winds will be blowing generally at moderate velocity, with gusts briefly reaching 60 km/hr, from NW directions. Temperatures will drop during the course of the day: at 2000m from +2 down to -6 degrees; at 3000 m from -4 down to -11 degrees. On Tuesday night, clouds will remain dense, light snowfall is expected. On Wednesday, cloudy skies, cold, poor visibility and light snowfall. In exposed high alpine terrain, strong-velocity northwesterly winds will be blowing.

Little change expected. Temperatures are expected to rise a little, the fresh snow will settle somewhat.