Glockner Group Pasterze

Natural avalanches are to be expected.

A very dangerous avalanche situation will prevail. The danger exists in particular in alpine snow sports terrain.

Large quantities of fresh snow and the wind-drifted snow are lying on top of a weakly bonded old snowpack. The fresh snow and the extensive wind slabs that are being formed by the strong westerly wind are very prone to triggering in all aspects above the tree line. The avalanche prone locations are numerous. They are to be found also in steep terrain in areas close to the tree line. More natural avalanches are to be expected. Avalanches can in some cases penetrate deep layers and reach large size. This applies on west, north and east facing slopes. With the onset of the intense precipitation, the natural avalanche activity will increase. Caution is to be exercised in particular in leeward starting zones. As a consequence of the rain, the likelihood of natural avalanches being released will increase significantly.

20 to 30 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, has fallen since Thursday. 20 to 30 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, will fall on Saturday, this applies in particular as the day progresses. The wind will be moderate to strong. The wind will transport the new snow. Further wind slabs will form. Up to intermediate altitudes rain will fall. The snowpack will be prone to triggering over a wide area. The new snow and wind slabs are lying on top of a weakly bonded old snowpack. Somewhat older wind slabs are lying on surface hoar. Distinct weak layers exist in the bottom section of the old snowpack. This applies in particular on west, north and east facing slopes above the tree line.

Some snow will fall in some regions. The rain will give rise to softening of the snowpack at low and intermediate altitudes. As a consequence of a sometimes storm force wind from westerly directions, further wind slabs will form on Saturday. The snow sport conditions outside marked and open pistes remain very dangerous. Avalanches can be released very easily. More natural avalanches are possible.