Saturday 16.01.2021
Published15 01 2021, 17:00
Danger level
2000m
Avalanche Problem
Wind-drifted snow

2000m

Wet snow

 

Wind slabs represent the main danger. Moist snow slides and avalanches are to be expected from the middle of the day.
The northwesterly wind has transported the new snow and, in some cases, old snow as well. The fresh wind slabs have formed in particular on east and south facing slopes and generally at high altitudes. This applies in particular adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls and at the southern and eastern borders of Aran. Wind slabs can be released by people or triggered naturally. Mostly the avalanches are small.

The older wind slabs of the last few days are covered with new snow and therefore difficult to recognise. These can in isolated cases be triggered in the old snowpack and reach medium size in particular on steep, little used shady slopes.

On very steep sunny slopes moist snow slides and avalanches are possible as the day progresses, but they will be mostly small.
Snowpack
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Up to 5 cm of snow fell in the past few hours.
In shady places that are protected from the wind: The upper section of the snowpack is favourably layered and has a loosely bonded surface.
Wind-loaded slopes: In some places wind slabs are lying on a weakly bonded old snowpack.
Towards its base, the snowpack is largely stable.
Sunny slopes: The surface of the snowpack will already soften in the late morning.

Backcountry touring and other off-piste activities call for defensive route selection.
Tendency
As a consequence of rising temperatures, snowfall above approximately 1500 m and the moderate to strong northwesterly wind, fresh snow drift accumulations will form on Sunday. The snowpack will become moist below the tree line.