Goldberg Group Central

Isolated danger zones in old snow

Isolated danger zones in old snow

Avalanche danger over 2200m is moderate, below that altitude danger is LOW. Isolated danger zones for dry-snow slab avalanches occur on very steep (>35°) west, north and east-facing slopes, where avalanches can in isolated cases be triggered by minimum additional loading in the weak old snow and grow to medium size. Caution in wind-protected terrain and transtions from shallow to deep snow. On steep grassy slopes or smooth rock plates isolated naturally triggered glide-snow avalanches are possible. Also in case of solar radiation on extremely steep (>40°) sunny slopes at high altitudes on Monday morning, esp. where there has been fresh snow.

Beneath the fresh snow from last week on W/N/E facing slopes above 2200 m there is a weak layer of expansively metamorphosed (faceted) crystals. Weak layers deeper down inside the snowpack are unlikely to trigger. On sunny slopes the snowpack has become thoroughly wet over the last few days. Temperatures are dropping, which will stabilize the snowpack somewhat. By Monday midday, a few cm of fresh fallen snow is anticipated, in the Tauern area up to 10 cm. Solar radiation wiull lead to moisting of the snowpack surface on sunny slopes in the afternoon.

On Monday, reduced visibility. The snowfall level will lie at 1300m, in the afternoon the clouds will disperse somewhat. At high altitudes, moderate-to-brisk NW winds will come up. At 2000 m: -1 degree; at 3000 m: -6 degrees.

On Tuesday, high-pressure front conditions, lots of sunshine, noticeably rising tempertures. Slight daytime cycle of danger of wet-snow avalanches.