Pongau Grass Mountains

Combined drift and persistent weak layer problem

Combined drift and persistent weak layer problem

The avalanche risk is moderate from around 2000 metres. In some places, avalanches can be triggered by even a small additional load in the persistent weak layer and can reach medium size. Be careful at the transition from lots of snow to little snow.

The drift snow accumulations, some of which are difficult to recognise, are relatively well connected. However, if they are disturbed at one of the few trigger points, avalanches can break through into the persistent weak layer and then become medium sized. Caution is also advised on and below cornices.

As the weather warms during the day, more spontaneous wet loose snow avalanches can occur. This is mainly in the extended southern sector, but below 2000 m it is also becoming increasingly common on the north side. On isolated typical slopes, sliding snow activity may begin.

Under some fresh new fallen snow lies an average of 40 cm of settled new and drift snow from the last week at higher, wind-calm locations, while exposed locations are heavily blown and snowdrift accumulations are correspondingly thick. The snow came to rest on a thin melt-freeze crust from the weekend. There are angular shapes and deep rime in the old snowpack on shady slopes. Fractures are most likely to occur within the no longer quite fresh snowdrift accumulations, increasingly also on the uppermost crust, and only rarely in the floating snow close to the ground. At lower altitudes, the snowpack is soaked by rain.

The night will start clear, but as the day progresses, low and medium-high cloud fields will spread from the north-west. On Saturday, visibility will be limited by mostly dense clouds. There will be some snow at times and rain below around 2000 metres. In total, up to 10 cm of new fallen snow may fall at high altitudes, especially in the Berchtesgaden Alps and in the Dachstein region. The wind will blow briskly (peaks up to 50 km/h) from westerly directions, but will ease noticeably during the daytime changes. At 2000 metres the temperature will be -1 to 3 degrees, at 3000 metres -7 to -4 degrees.

In the night to Sunday it will clear up widely, the frost line will rise to around 2400 to 2600 metres. Decreasing danger from wind slab but increasing danger from wet snow.