Attention winter sports enthusiasts: old-snow problem in regions with comparativfely little snow

 Right off the bat: an appeal to all winter sports enthusiasts

Quite deliberately we want the focus at the beginning of this blog to be on the regions of North Tirol where there is little snow. That is where winter sports enthusiasts need to be aware of a potential, difficult-to-assess old-snow problem. The old-snow problem is a threat everywhere where prior to the recent snowfall there was already snow on the ground. This applies particularly to steep terrain in W/NW-N-E/NE aspects above the timberline, at high altitudes (generally between about 2500 m and 2800 m and upwards), then increasingly on slopes in other aspects. Whumpf-noises when someone sets foot on the snowpack are clear and unmistakeable indicators of this problem currently. Even remote triggerings in flat terrain are conceiveable.

In the regions where there is now lots of snow, on the other hand, a triggering of weak layers due to the heavy load of snow appears unlikely in the meantime. But it is indeed possible elsewhere: in the wind-impacted places where there is little snow.

Also worthy of notice: ski areas are currently not in operation, which means ski pistes should be viewed as outlying terrain.

A wealth of snow in the south

Extremely unusual days lie behind us. There has never, ever been so much precipitation in such a short period of time in some towns of Tirol, not in all the history of taking measurements. Moreover, on 8-9 December, more snowfall will be added to it in southern regions. According to ZAMG Weather Service, generally between 40 and 80 cm, with decreasing amounts the further north you go.

Record-setter of precipitation in East Tirol: Porzehütte on the Carnic Ridge

Forecast for fresh snow on 8-9 December 2020

The combination of still more fresh snow in southern regions plus strong-velocity SE winds will lead primarily to a superficial, yet still serious, snowdrift problem. Fractures in the loosely-packed layers of old snow due to further snow load is relatively unlikely due to the settlement and stabilization of deep new snow masses which has already taken place.

Impressions of the current situation

Glide-snow avalanches

Increasing glide-snow activity on steep grass-covered slopes. (Initially the frozen ground hindered glide-snow avalanches as snowfall set in. Then, rain impact on 5-6 December furthered gliding snow masses.)

 

Lots of snow not only in East Tirol, also in the southern Öztal Alps (photo: 7.12.2020 by Peter Raich)

Storm winds have left behind a striking trail. Defereggental (photo: 07.02.2020)

Damaged electric lines getting repaired in adverse conditions. Defereggental (photo: 07.12.2020)

Next blog entry: at latest on Thursday, 10.12.2020.