Goldberg Group Central

Wet-snow avalanches are the main danger. Freshly generated snowdrifts in high-alpine regions.

Wet-snow avalanches are the main danger. Freshly generated snowdrifts in high-alpine regions.

Avalanche danger below 2800m is considerable, above that altitude danger is moderate. Wet-snow avalanches can release naturally in all aspects and grow to medium size. Esp. on steep W/N/E-facing slopes, increasingly frequent slab avalanches are possible. Thy can sweep along the thoroughly wet snowpack and grow to large size, esp. in high-altitude starting zones where there is sufficient snow. Avalanches in steep gullies can in isolated cases plummet down to green zones. In very steep grass-covered terrain, medium-sized glide-snow avalanches can trigger naturally all day long. Danger zones for small freshly generated snowdrift accumulations occur on wind-loaded gullies and bowls on very steep shady slopes above 2800m. Dry-snow slab avalanches can be triggered in these places by one single skier. In isolated cases, avalanches can fracture down to deeper layers in the old snowpack and grow to medium size.

The snowpack below 2800m is at least moistened in all aspects, on sunny slopes often up to high-alpine regions thoroughly wet. The snowpack cannot sufficient radiate outwardly during the nocturnal hours, forms only a thin melt-freeze crust not capable of bearing loads, and softening quickly in the morning hours. High air moisture and local rainfall is making the snowpack even wetter. Weak layers of faceted crystals evident only on extremely steep shady slopes above 2800m. In high-alpine regios, 5-10cm of fresh snow is anticipated. Due to strong-velocity winds, small snowdrift accumulations will be generated, which esp. on very steep shady slopes will be deposited atop soft layers and will be prone to triggering.

Strong-to-storm strength southerly foehn winds still prevail (windspeeds up to 100 km/hr). On the Main Alpine Ridge, clouds will shroud the peaks, visibility will be better in the northern regions, even with sunshine. At 2000m: 4-9 degrees; at 3000m: -2 to +2 degree.

Wet snow remains the main danger.