Ybbstaler Alpen

Low avalanche danger, fresh wind slab in the high altitudes

Low avalanche danger, fresh wind slab in the high altitudes

The avalanche risk is low. Fresh, thin pillows of wind drifted snow lie in aspects from north-east to south-east, particularly adjacent to ridgelines, in the entrance areas of steep gullies and bowls and behind terrain edges. Individual winter sports enthusiasts can trigger small slab avalanches. There is a persistent weak layer problem on shady slopes at high altitudes - avalanches can occasionally tear through the old snow, but remain small. The risk of being swept away, falling and injury outweighs the risk of burial. Hardness or icy surfaces can be covered by little snow and be difficult to recognise.

There is still little snow. A few centimetres of new fallen snow have fallen above around 1500 metres. While around 10 cm of snow has accumulated in the Ybbstal Alps, hardly any new fallen snow has fallen from Schneeberg to Rax. The new fallen snow was transported by strong winds in exposed areas and deposited as thin pillows of wind drifted snow on a wet or crusted can form snow surface up to the summit areas. In the higher elevations, angular snow crystals are still weakening the stability on shady slopes.

During the night, initially partly cloudy. After midnight, the clouds will increase from the south-west. On Saturday, clouds will predominate from early in the morning and it will remain dry until sunset. However, the peaks will become increasingly foggy from midday. In the evening, a cold front will bring increasing snow showers, strong north-westerly winds and cooling. The temperature at an altitude of 2000 metres will be between -4 and -1 degrees. The temperature at an altitude of 1500 metres will be between -1 and 2 degrees. Moderate winds with an average speed of around 20 km/h from the south and gusts of up to 50 km/h.

The avalanche risk remains unchanged for the time being. During the night to Sunday, temperatures will drop and there will be some snow showers, which will mainly affect the Ybbstal and Türnitz Alps. There will also be some new fallen snow in the Gutenstein Alps and hardly any snow in the Rax-Schneeberg area. On Sunday it will be stormy in exposed areas, the snow showers will subside during the day. It will be much colder.