Glockner Group Pasterze

Natural avalanches are to be expected.

A very dangerous avalanche situation will prevail. The danger exists in particular in alpine snow sports terrain.

The large quantity of fresh snow and the extensive wind slabs that are being formed by the strong westerly wind are very prone to triggering in all aspects above the tree line. Such avalanche prone locations are to be found also in areas close to the tree line. As a consequence of new snow and wind natural avalanches are to be expected until late in the night. Avalanches can in some cases penetrate deep layers and reach large size. This applies on west, north and east facing slopes. With the end of the snowfall, the natural avalanche activity will slowly decrease. In particular in the regions exposed to the foehn wind more natural avalanches are possible as a consequence of the strong to storm force northwesterly wind. Caution is to be exercised in particular in leeward starting zones.

In some regions 10 to 20 cm of snow will fall until late morning. The wind will be moderate to strong. The wind will be storm force at times in particular in the Southern Zillertal Alps and High Tauern and along the border with South Tyrol. The wind will transport the new snow. Further wind slabs will form. The snowpack will be prone to triggering over a wide area. The new snow and wind slabs are lying on top of a weakly bonded old snowpack. Somewhat older wind slabs are lying on surface hoar. Distinct weak layers exist in the bottom section of the old snowpack. This applies in particular on west, north and east facing slopes above the tree line.

Some snow will fall in some regions. The rain will give rise to softening of the snowpack at low and intermediate altitudes. As a consequence of a sometimes storm force wind from westerly directions, further wind slabs will form on Saturday. The snow sport conditions outside marked and open pistes remain very dangerous. Avalanches can be released very easily. More natural avalanches are possible.