Goldberg Group North

Freshly generated snowdrifts require attentiveness

Freshly generated snowdrifts require attentiveness

Avalanche danger levels are moderate. Snowdrifts of large size can be triggered even by minimum additional loading above the treeline, near gulliees and bowls on NW/N/SE facing slopes. Below the treeline the avalanches will mostly be small sized. Below the treeline, avalanches are generally small-sized. Above 2200m avalanches can trigger in more deeply embedded weak layers inside the snowpack and in isolated cases grow to large size. Snowdrifts can be difficult to recognize due to poor visibility.

An additional 10cm of snowfall is anticipated. The fresh fallen snow has been heftily transported. Exposed ridges and crests are windblown, gullies and bowls and slopes near the treeline are filled to the brim. Inside the fresh and older drifts there are near-surface weak layers. Above 2000m the fresh snow and drifts have often been deposited atop faceted crystals near crusts,. On wind-protected shady slopes above the treeline there is often surface hoar. Above the treeline there is surface hoar evident. Above 2200m the snowpack layering is unfavorable, there are several weak layers of faceted crystals. The entire snowpack can glide away over steep rock places or grass-covered slopes.

During the night, light to moderately strong snowfall is anticipated, most falling in the Northern Alps, Kitzbühel Alps and western Hohe Tauern, where 20cm can fall within 12 hours. Strong-to-stormy W/N winds (northern foehn wind in the Lungau) will prevail. On Tuesday, visibililty severely limited due to clouds, fog and snowfall. In the Northern Alps, an additional 20cm of fresh snow is expected, elsewhere 10cm. The NW winds will be blowing at brisk to storm strength, reaching peaks of over 100 km/hr on the Main Alpine Ridge. At 2000m: -9 degrrees; at 3000m: -16 degrees.

As Wednesday approaches, avalanche danger levels will not increase significantly.