Regionally still lots of snow in the mountains
During a period of overly cool, highly variable weather, the snow depths in high alpine regions are still increasing. Very wintery conditions continue to reign there unchangingly. This coincides with the reports of ZAMG Weather Service: spring was this cool in 1996 and 1991.
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| Overall snow depths in Tirol (on 20.05.2021) |
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| Month’s review on Pitztal Glacier. Easily recognized: very cool temperatures with frequent precipitation, often strong wind. The current overall snow depths over this last month measure a maximum.
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| Snow situation on 18.05.2021 in Tux Valley |
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| For comparison, one year ago, on 18.05.2020 |
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| Snowscape on 07.05.2021 in Axamer Lizum |
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| For comparison, a year ago, on 09.05.2020 |
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| Fresh snow on 15.05.2021 on Stubai Glacier |
Avalanche danger still requires high attentiveness
Although we currently have little information about snowpack layering at high altitudes, we currently assume problems in near-surface layers. Among these:
- Snowdrift problem:
- particularly in high alpine regions, mostly near ridgelines; especially during or immediately following precipitation
- Fresh-snow problem:
- Graupel: We know of massive graupel deposits regionally in near-surface layers. A thick layer of graupel blanketed by snowdrifts can constitute a weak layer for slab avalanches.
- Wet loose-snow avalanches right after or during snowfall due to (diffuse) solar radiation and rising temperatures. This problem also occurs at lower altitudes where there has been heavy snowfall.
- Old-snow problem:
- A continuing sequence of fresh snow, cold, moistening snowpack due to (diffuse) solar radiation impact harbors a high potential for danger pattern “cold-on-warm” (dp.4). We assume that this problem prevails increasingly above 3000m in all aspects in the near-surface layers. It is a treacherous risk which is exceedingly difficult to evaluate. The only thing which helps to clarify the conundrum is a view inside the snowpack and stability test. Please see our last Blog.
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| Numerous naturally triggered wet loose-snow avalanches in the Northern Massif above Innsbruck due to (diffuse) solar radiation. (photo: 20.05.2021) |
Ground level weakening of the snowpack due to water seepage is currently not a problem (on 9 May the case for the last time). Then, isolated slab avalanches were observed on shady slopes at 2500-2700m.
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| Avalanche Riepenwand-Schlicker Seespitze in the northern Stubai Alps at about 2500m NW, presumably on 9 May 2021. |
From our colleagues in South Tirol we were informed of an avalanche accident with fatality yesterday on the Königsspitze at 3700m. Information can be viewed
here:.
Pentecost will be highly variable
Tomorrow, Friday, 21 May, a warm front will bring higher temperatures with cloudy air from the Atlantic. In the mountains it will often be stormy, particularly near the Main Alpine Ridge. On Saturday, 22 May, a cold front will follow on its heels. The snowfall level is expected to lie at 1600m. The focal point of precipitation will lie on the Main Ridge east of Ötztal. Up to 40 cm of fresh snow could fall from place to place. The air masses will remain instable and cool, i.e. conditions which we’re currently accustomed to: highly variable! For avalanche danger, see above.
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| 72-hr fresh-snow forecast |
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| Illuminating views, assuring us that spring is coming, slowly but surely.... |
