Goldberg Group Central

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

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

Avalanche danger above 2800m is CONSIDERABLE, below that altitude danger is moderate. In high-alpine zhones on wind-loaded shady slopes, in shady gullies and bowls, dry-snow slab avalanches can be triggered even by one sole skier. In isolated cases, avalanches in the old snow can fracture down to deeper layers and grow to medium size. On steep slopes below 2800m which have not yet discharged, naturally triggered avalanches can release due to solar radiation and grown to medium size, or else be trigger b persons. Also isolated small-to-medium glide-snow avalanches are possible.

The snowpack is compact, moist or wet up to high altitutudes, contains melt-freeze crusts, 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.

Southerly foehn winds will be blowing during the nighttime hours, with gusts reaching 60-80 km/hr. Low-lying clouds will hamper nocturnal outgoing longwave radiation. Sunday will start with sunshine, but cirrus clouds will move in during the morning and dust from the Sahara Desert will blanket the sun somewhat. Convective cloud build-up will shroud the summits somewhat. Foehn winds will persist but slacken off. At 2000m: +3 to +7 degrees; at 3000m: 0 degrees.

On Easter Monday, moderate snowdrift problem following a night of intermittently clear skies. Loss of firmness in the morning.