2015-12-17T07:30:00+01:00 Patrick Nairz 2015-12-17+01:00 https://lawine.tirol.gv.at/data/fotos/2015_bewoelkte_Gipfel_kein_Schnee.jpg Low avalanche danger will continue far and wide. Low danger far and wide - Heed small drifts in high alpine regions DP6 Alpine Weather Forecast (ZAMG-Weather Service Innsbruck) Weather in general: yesterday’s perturbance is moving eastwards, Tirol will shortly be in a high pressure zone, at high altitude a NW air current. A weak perturbance will pass through on Friday. Mountain weather: precipitation (snow above 1900m) is tapering off, clouds and fog receding, the sun will soon predominate once more. Temperatures rising, the zero-degree level ascending to just below 3000m. Brenta and southern Dolomites will get the most sunshine. Temperature at 2000m: +4 degrees; at 3000m: -3 degrees. Moderate NW to W winds at high altitude. Snow Layering Touring possibilities are extremely limited due to the lack of snow. Except for in high alpine regions, a cohesive, area-wide snow cover occurs seldom, more likely in western regions. The old snowpack is low in tensions and consists mainly of thin crusts and loosely-packed crystals; the weight of a person can cause it to break through down to the ground. At high altitudes, on the other hand, the snowpack surface has been heavily impacted by winds and is capable of bearing loads. Yesterday’s 20 cm of snowfall brought about small-sized snowdrift accumulations in high alpine regions; the weakest layer is inside the new fallen snow. As weather improves, the snowpack can be expected to stabilize swiftly. Avalanche Danger Generally low avalanche danger prevails in Tirol. Caution towards fresh, small drifts in high alpine regions is called for, particularly in western regions. Avalanche prone locations are currently found on very steep slopes behind terrain edges, increasingly in areas adjacent to ridgelines; those with experience will easily recognize these danger zones. In steep, shady, high alpine terrain, old snowdrifts could fracture under large additional loading, but it is unlikely. The hazards of falling in glacial crevasses or injuring oneself on jagged rocks protruding from the snowpack are greater than the danger of avalanches.