Weisseck, Muhr Valley

Main danger: freshly generated snowdrift masses

Main danger: freshly generated snowdrift masses

Strong southerly winds are transporting the loose old and fresh snow, depositing it as drifts behind discontinuities in the terrain, in gullies and bowls. The often hardened drifts are prone to triggering, particularly on shady slopes, often can be triggered by one single winter sports enthusiast as an avalanche. Size and spread of danger zones increase with ascending altitude. Avalanches tend to be small, in isolated cases can attain medium size. Caution: danger zones in steep terrain are particularly threatening in the places where skiing is possible without meeting up with stones, i.e. wind-loaded areas. Poor visibility makes it more difficult to recognize the danger zones. On east-facing, south-facing and west-facing slopes below 2500 m, minor danger of glide-snow avalanches, particularly on steep, smooth grassy slopes.

Particularly on shady slopes at high altitudes, fresh snowdrifts are being deposited atop a very weak snowpack in wind-protected zones. The transported snow masses now blankets the fresh fallen snow from the beginning of the week, i.e. the metamorphosed (faceted) crystals which can be a weak layer. An unfavorable sequence of layers of faceted crystals and melt-freeze crusts is to be found especially on west-facing, north-facing and east-facing slopes above 2500 m. On steep grassy slopes, the snowpack glides away from the ground in some spots. In general, there is still too little snow in the mountains of Salzburg for winter sports. Above 2000 m, the overall snowpack is 30-60 cm deep, but the snow is irregularly distributed. Wind-exposed zones are often bare of snow, gullies and bowls often filled to the brim. Backcountry tours confront a very rough ride, including contact with stones. In forest areas there is no cohesive, area-wide snowpack.

Sunday: In Tauern and Lungau Nockberge, overcast skies, limited visibility, a few raindrops or snowflakes. Further to the north, mostly dry. Initially a bit of sunshine, later on the visibility will deteriorate. In the foehn lanes, brisk southerly winds (up to 60 km/hr). At 2000 m, 0 to 3 degrees; at 3000 m: -4 degrees. Monday: visibility often limited right from the start. In Tauern and Lungau Nockberge, a bit of light snowfall, elsewhere it will be dry. During the late afternoon, rainfall/snowfall will set in from the southwest, snowfall level will descend to about 1100 by evening. Initially brisk southerly foehn wind, slackening off in the morning hours. At 2000 m: -1 to +1 degree; at 3000 m, -7 degrees.

Starting on Tuesday: snowdrift masses will bond with layers beneath them, avalanche danger will decrease.