Goldberg Group Central

Foehn-induced snowdrifts from Thursday still delicate

Foehn-induced snowdrifts from Thursday still delicate

Avalanche danger above 2000 m is CONSIDERABLE, below that altitude danger is LOW. Wild opposites occur in backcountry: exposed zones are hard, windblown, very few drifts. Leeward slopes, gullies, are filled to the brim. Foehn-induced snowdrifts from yesterday can still be triggered by the weight of one sole person. Potential avalanches can grow to medium-to-large size. Most danger zones are in W/N/E aspects and in steep gullies. Caution urged in steep terrain distant from ridges down to steep forest lanes. Caution also urged in shallow-snow zones on shady north-facing slopes and in high-alpine steep terrain, where large additional loading can triggered hidded weak layers in the snowpack.

Due to warmth and sun the fresh snow and drifts have settled and consolidated. Sink-in depths are receded noticeably, the proneness to triggering has decreased. Above 2000 m the fresh drifts generated by Thursday’s foehn wind and deposited atop a soft base are still prone to triggering. The old snowpack beneath has settled, is topped by a firm melt-freeze crust. Inside the snowpack are hidden soft layers of faceted crystals, but these layer are currently not a threat.

On Friday, variable conditions, low clouds will pass through. Adequate daytime visibility, loose convective clouds, noticeably colder, moderate NW winds (30-40 km/hr). At 2000 m: -4 degrees, at 3000 m: -16 degrees. On Saturday morning, reduced visibility due to heavy cloud and snowfall (minor). As of midday, the clouds will often disperse. Strong northerly wind (gusts at 60 km/hr). At 2000 m: -11 degrees, at 3000 m: -17 degrees.

Snowdrift problem will decrease. Caution urged in gullies and in extended northern aspects.