Weisseck, Muhr Valley

Circumvent snowdrifts esp. at high altitudes

Circumvent snowdrifts esp. at high altitudes

Avalanche danger above 2400 m is CONSIDERABLE, below that altitude danger is MODERATE. Snowdrift accumlations esp. on N/E facing slopes behind abrupt drops in the terrain can be easily triggered with increasing altitude up to high alpine regions also on south-facing slopes. Slabs small-to-medium, also large in isolated cases. Danger zones increase with ascending altitude. Also possible: isolated naturally triggered loose and slab avalanches, esp small and medium sized in extremely steep terrain. On steep grass slopes, esp. where the ground was bare, below 2400 m, naturally triggered glide-snow avalanches are possible, in medium size.

The fresh snow and drifts from the last few days have bonded quite well with the old snow up to 2400 m. With ascending altitude bonding deteriorates. In places there are expansively metamorphosed (faceted) layers bordering on melt-freeze crusts in the uppermost part of the snowpack; these are unlikely to trigger, but if further layers are swept away when a release occurs, the avalanches can then grow to large size. At low altitudes there is hardly any snow on the ground, up to 2400 m the snow is moist and sticky.

On Monday, poor visibility, clouds and fog will dominate. Over midday some bright intervals and sunshine are possible, diffuse radiation will be intense, a bit of rainfall or snowfall is possible, snowfall level at 1500 m. At 2000 m: -2 degrees; at 3000 m: -8 degrees. Winds will be light, moderate northerly winds on the Main Alpine Ridge will be noticeable.

No significant change to start with. We are waiting for nights of clear skies and firn snow.