Weisseck, Muhr Valley

Beware snowdrifts in high-alpine zones, wet-snow problem lower down

Low-lying clouds hamper nocturnal outgoing radiation. In the morning hours on Saturday, sunshine will quickly come to the fore. Southerly foehn winds will arise: 40-50 km/hr. At 2000m: +1 to +4 degrees; at 3000m: -1 degree.

Springtime situation: slight daytime danger cycle. The snowdrift problem is receding.

The snowpack is moist or wet up to high altitutudes, contains melt-freeze crusts even though the snowpack is quite compact overall, weak layers are isolated but occur above 2500m. In high-alpine zones, 20cm of fresh fallen snow (Venediger Massif) lie deposited atop the wind-impacted snowpack. Southerly winds have formed snowdrift accumulations there, often deposited atop faceted expansively metamorphosed crystals and prone to triggering in places. Higher daytime temperatures and solar raditaion moisten the snowpack and cause firmness to be forfeited.

Beware snowdrifts in high-alpine zones, wet-snow problem lower down

Avalanche danger is moderate, on steep slopes below 2800m which have not yet discharged, small-to-medium moist/wet-snow avalanches can releases spontaneously, esp. with extended sunshine windows, or be triggered by persons. Also isolated small-to-medium glide-snow avalanches are possible. Danger zones for small snowdrifts occur in shady wind-loaded gullies and bowls above 2800m. Dry-snow slab avalanches can be triggered here by one sole skier. Isolated avalanches can fracture down to the wet layers and sweep them along, thereby growing to medium size.