Glockner Group Pasterze

Evaluate freshly generated snowdrift accumulations on shady slopes with great caution. Caution: persistent weak layer.

Evaluate freshly generated snowdrift accumulations on shady slopes with great caution. Caution: persistent weak layer.

The snowdrift accumulations of recent days can easily be triggered in all aspects above 2200m by one single skier. Danger zones occur particularly in gullies, bowls and behind protruberances in the landscape. Avalanches can fracture down to more deeply embedded layers inside the snowpack on shady slopes in particular, and then grow to larger size. Size and frequency of danger zones tend to increase with ascending altitude. Whumpf noises and glide-cracks when the snowpack is tred upon are indicators of danger. Small sized loose-snow avalanches are possible on steep slopes and at the foot of rock cliffs.

As a result of low temperatures and strong-to-stormy winds, fresh snowdrifts have accumulated over the last few days. These now blanket a weak old snowpack surface above 2200m. Inside the old snowpack there are expansively metamosphosed, faceted crystals, particularly on shady wind-protected slopes. The snowpack is highly irregular, even over small areas. The various snowdrifts are often still poorly bonded with each other and with the old snowpack. Inside the old snowpack, particularly on shady wind-protected slopes there are expansively metamorphosed, faceted layers evident. The snowpack is highly irregular, even over small areas. At all altitudes there is too little snow on the ground for this juncture of the season.

High-pressure conditions will prevail, leading to radiantly sunny weather in the mountains. Outstanding visibility, winds still moderate, temperatures rising in the mountains. At 2000m: at midday +1 degree; at 1000m: +5 degrees.

Avalanche danger levels are not expected to change significantly.