Pongau Grass Mountains

Consistently avoid drifting snow areas

Consistently avoid drifting snow areas

The avalanche danger is moderate above 2000 metres and low below. Small to medium slab avalanches can be triggered in very steep terrain by even a small additional load. Most avalanche prone locations are on north-west, north to south-east facing slopes, behind ridges and in gullies and bowls. The wind slab is easily recognisable and should be avoided. Cracks and whumpfing collapsing sounds when walking on the snow cover, snowpack indicate danger.

Under the influence of mild air and sunlight, the snow cover, snowpack has settled and become cardboardy up to around 2000 metres. In the morning it has at least a thin melt-freeze crust, and up to around 1900 metres it also has a crust of rain ice. At high altitudes, older wind slab snow is still prone to triggering in places, and fresh wind slab snow is also formed on a small scale during the day. The transition to the old snowpack (faceted crystals on/under the crust) usually serves as a weak layer. It consists of layers of faceted crystals, deep rime and melt-freeze crusts. Surface-triggered avalanches can tear through to the ground. The total snow depth is still well below average. Ridges and ridges are often completely blown off.

After a slightly cloudy night, the sun will shine on Sunday and visibility will be very good. The wind will freshen up during the day and at high altitudes from midday with 30 to 50 km/h from a southerly direction. At 2000 metres it will be +2 degrees, at 3000 metres -5 degrees.

It will remain foehn, the situation will not change significantly on Monday.