Yesterday, 26.01.2024, four avalanche reports were received at Tirol headquarters, two in which persons were involved. One person was severely injured. Both gliding snow and snowdrifts were the underlying problems/causes.
Avalanches where gliding snow was the main problem
Marchlehn gulley near Tieflehn
The most serious avalanche occurred yesterday on 26.01.2024 in rear Pitztal. In the vicinity of the Marchlehn gulley near Tieflehn a glide-snow avalanche triggered which caught ice climbers who were in the access ascent to a frozen waterfall. One person was severely injured but could communicate, one person was slightly injured. Two other persons sustained no injuries. The avalanche unleashed a big operation of rescue services including avalanche dogs and Alpine Police, as well as several helicopters.
Pfundsalm near Hochfügen
Another rescue operation unfolded due to observations of an avalanche near Pfundsalm, Hochfügen. Initially the assumption was two buried persons. After the situation was cleared up by the Alpine Police and searches with avalanche dogs, the operation was discontinued. As in far-reaching parts of Tirol, this glide-snow avalanche triggered because of warmth and rain impact on the snowpack over the last few days.
More photos of recent glide-snow avalanches
Avalanche related to snowdrifts
Schaufelferner – Stubai Glacier
Freshly generated snowdrift accumulations are a current threat only at very high altitudes, attributable to the stabilization of recently generated snowdrift masses due to higher temperatures, at least below 2400 m.
Kendlkar – Glockner Massif
Another avalanche was reported on Kendlkar in the Glockner Massif. The report was issued as a “negative avalanche” i.e. no casualties. We don’t yet have details about this occurrence.
What’s next?
A high-pressure airstream is coming, bringing clear skies as soon as tonight. The air will be very dry, thus cooling the snowpack out well during the nocturnal hours. Increasingly, melt-freeze crusts will form, at least upwards of intermediate altitudes, even more on sunny slopes, which will often be capable of bearing loads. With savvy backcountry tour planning, firn snow can be included regionally.
The zero-degree level will ascend to about 3000 m over the next few days, on Tuesday even to 3200 m. That is far too mild for this juncture of the season.
Favorable backcountry touring conditions are approaching. The main danger will be glide-snow avalanches.