Tennen Mountains, Gosaukamm

Melt-freeze crusts, few danger zones, some new snow above 2000 m

Melt-freeze crusts, few danger zones, some new snow above 2000 m

Avalanche danger is low. Small avalanche prone locations are to be found on very steep NW-to-SE ridgeline slopes above approximately 2200 m. In those zones there are easily recognized snowdrift patches, small and thin, whose greatest risk lies in being forced to take a fall. In the same terrain (>2200m, same aspect) there are also rare avalanche prone locations where large additional loading can, if you’re unlucky, trigger a slab in the old snow. This applies mostly to zones where the snow is shallow.

Above 1800-2000 m there has been 5 cm of new snow registered which is being transported by brisk westerly winds. Bonding of these small, thin snowdrift patches to the melt-freeze encrusted snow base deteriorates with ascending altitude because beneath the melt-freeze crust there is a soft, faceted layer. At low and intermediate altitudes the snowpack is encrusted as a result of rainfall, temperature changes and nocturnal cooling: all in all, stable.

On Monday, low lying residual clouds on the northern rim of the Alps will recede and it will turn increasingly sunny. Light to moderate southerly winds will intensify. At 2000 m: -1 degree; at 3000 m: -8 degrees. On Tuesday above the valley fog there is good visibility despite cloudbanks passing through, though the light conditions might be diffuse intermittently. During the afternoon cloudbanks will become heavier, towards evening light snowfall will set in (below 1700-1900 m rainfall). At 2000 m: 0 degrees; at 3000 m: -7 degrees.

As a result of the new snow on Wednesday and Thursday, the situation above intermediate altitudes will change: avalanche danger will increase.