2021-12-14T17:00:00+00:00 avalanche-warnings.eu 2021-12-14T23:00:00+00:00 2021-12-15T23:00:00+00:00 2 1 drifting snow in gullies, steep bowls, behind protruberances, above 1400 m Isolated glide-snow avalanches trigger naturally Danger of avalanches above the timberline is MODERATE, below that altitude danger is low. Avalanche prone locations focus on gullies and wind-loaded steep zones in NW/E/W aspects. Triggering a small-to-medium sized slab avalanche is possible by large additional loading. On very steep slopes, isolated small-to-medium sized glide-snow avalanches can trigger naturally. The snowpack has regained firmness through the rainfall of this month and on the surface is now melt-freeze encrusted. At high altitudes of the Osterhorn Massif there is a small amount of new snow deposited on a wind crust or in wind-protected zones often atop settled old snow. On steep, smooth grass-covered slopes, the snowpack glides over the ground in many places. Above the timberline there are compact older snowdrifts in gullies and bowls. On Wednesday, dense cloud will persist to begin with, but little precipitation is anticipated. In the course of the afternoon the clouds will disperse. At all altitudes, temperatures will drop somewhat. At 1500 m: -1 degrees, winds will not disturb. On Thursday mostly cloudy, only higher peaks might pierce through the sea of fog. A bit colder: at 1500 m: -3 degrees. Little change. 2021-12-14T17:00:00+00:00 avalanche-warnings.eu 2021-12-14T23:00:00+00:00 2021-12-15T23:00:00+00:00 2 1 drifting snow above timberline, in gullies, steep bowls, snowdrift rims especially treacherous gliding snow in extremely steep grassy terrain below 2200 m Old snowdrifts in gullies Danger of avalanches above the timberline is MODERATE, below that altitude LOW. On very steep slopes below 2200 m, naturally triggered glide-snow avalanches are possible. Above the timberline slab avalanches can trigger. Avalanche prone locations focus on gullies in all aspects and wind-loaded steep slopes, increasingly frequent in NW/E/S aspects. Triggering a small-to-medium sized slab avalanche is possible there by large additional loading, i.e. through a fall or stamping down the snow. Warmth, rainfall (drizzle up to 2700 m) and subsequent nocturnal cooling have helped the snowpack to regain firmness at high altitudes. The moistened snowpack has a melt-freeze crust on the surface. The snowpack is gliding over smooth, grass-covered slopes. Above the timberline there are older drifts deposited in gullies and bowls which are blanketed a bit of new snow. In higher, wind-protected zones the loose snow can become a weak layer for the slightly-bonded new snow which is deposited on top of it. On Wednesday, dense cloud will persist to begin with, but little precipitation is anticipated. In the course of the afternoon the clouds will disperse, some sunshine is expected. Winds in exposed terrain will be moderate, in the Tauern region blowing at 30-40 km/hr from the north. At high altitudes uniform temperatures around -3 degrees. On Thursday visibility will be good above the valley fog. From Steinberge to Tennen Massif, only the higher peaks will pierce through the fogbanks. In the afternon, heavy cloud will move in from the north, limiting visibility in the Tauern region. Winds there will be brisk to strong from the north. Temperature: -3 degrees. Little change. 2021-12-14T17:00:00+00:00 avalanche-warnings.eu 2021-12-14T23:00:00+00:00 2021-12-15T23:00:00+00:00 3 2 drifting snow wide-ranging snowdrifts above timberline, in gullies, steep bowls gliding snow glide-snow avalanches on steep grass-covered slopes below 2200 m Increased trigger-sensitivity of snowdrifts, esp. in high alpine regions Danger of avalanches above about 2300 m is CONSIDERABLE, below that altitude to the treeline MODERATE. On very steep slopes below 2400 m, naturally triggered glide-snow avalanches are possible. Above the timberline slab avalanches can trigger. Avalanche prone locations focus on gullies in all aspects and wind-loaded steep slope and fresh snowdrifts in E/S aspects. Triggering a small-to-medium sized slab avalanche is possible there even by minimum additional loading. At high altitudes, slab avalanches can in isolated cases grow to large size. Warmth, rainfall and subsequent nocturnal cooling have helped the snowpack to regain firmness at high altitudes. The moistened snowpack has a melt-freeze crust on the surface. Drizzle up to 2700 m on Monday has left a thin ice crust behind. The snowpack is gliding over smooth, grass-covered slopes below 2400 m. Above the timberline there are older drifts deposited in gullies and bowls which are blanketed by snow, in high alpine regions shallow drifts generated by northerly winds. In higher, wind-protected zones the loose snow can become a weak layer for the slightly-bonded new snow which is deposited on top of it. In high alpine regions, particularly on shady slopes above 2200 m, weak, soft layers of faceted crystals are evident in the snowpack fundament. On Wednesday, low lying cloud and fog will initially limit visibility. From Oberpinzgau the visibility will improve towards midday, a bit of sunshine is expected. Winds will be blowing at 30-40 km/hr from the north. At high altitudes: -3 degrees. On Thursday, visibility above the valley fog will initially be good In the afternoon, clouds will move in from the north, limiting visibility in the Tauern. Winds will be brisk to strong from the north. Temperature: -3 degrees. Proneness of older snowdrifts triggering will incrementally recede. 2021-12-14T17:00:00+00:00 avalanche-warnings.eu 2021-12-14T23:00:00+00:00 2021-12-15T23:00:00+00:00 2 1 drifting snow wide-ranging snowdrifts, in gullies in all aspects, triggerable at rims of snowdrift masses old snow in shady zones above 2300 m, triggerable in transitions form shallow to deeper snow NW-wind generated snowdrift accumulations Danger of avalanches is MODERATE. Avalanche prone locations focus on gullies in all aspects and wind-loaded steep slopes, fresh snowdrifts found increasingly frequent in E/S aspects. The shallow-snow transition zones are especially treacherous. Triggering a small-to-medium sized slab avalanche is possible there by large additional loading, where snow is shallow in transition zones even by minimum additional loading from the drifted zones. The strong winds which frequently changed directions have left their marks on the snowpack, generated snowdrift accumulations in all aspects. Most recently, NW winds and rising temperatures have formed compact snowdrift masses. Snow quality is far better in wind-protected zones, here there is powder. Bonding of individual snowdrifts deteriorates with ascending altitude. Weak faceted laysers are evident in the snowpack fundment on shady slopes above 2300 m. On Wednesday, dense cloud and fog will persist to begin with. In the course of the afternoon the clouds will disperse, visibility improve and the sun come out In exposed terrain, esp. in the Tauern regions, a moderate NW wind will be blowing at 30-40 km/hr. At 2000 m: -3 degrees. On Thursday, mostly adequate visibilit. In the afternoon, heavy cloud cover will move in from the north, possibly limiting visibility in the Tauern region, the Nockberge will remain favourable. Winds at brisk to strong velocity from the north. At 2000 m: -3 degrees. Little change.