Fischbach Alps East, Wechsel

Fresh high-altitude snowdrifts. Caution: isolated naturally triggered glide-snow avalanches.

Fresh high-altitude snowdrifts. Caution: isolated naturally triggered glide-snow avalanches.

New snowdrift accumulations have formed, danger zones occur above the timberline esp. on steep east-facing slopes behind discontinuities, and can be triggered by one person, releasing as a small slab avalanche. In encrusted or icy steep terrain, acute danger of falling. Most of the fresh snow is bonding poorly. Despite lower temperatures, danger of naturally triggered glide-snow avalanches persists at all altitudes, in all aspects (esp. south-facing slopes) on steep grassy slopes they are possible and can reach large size and endanger exposed transportation routes. Avoid zones below glide cracks, they are indicators of potential danger.

Up to 25 cm of fresh snow fell during the night of New Year’s Eve, most from #Turrach over Zirbitz to Koralpe, much less in Tauern and Northern Alps. Storm westerly winds formed thin drifts, bonding poorly with the encrusted old snowpack surface which is compact and without marked weak layers (a thick melt-freeze crust capable of bearing loads), riddled with water seepage channels, highly unpleasant for skiers. The snowpack is gliding downhill and cracking on its journey.

A weak Atlantic front will reach the Eastern Alps (and pass through quickly to the SE) in the form of a westerly high-altitude airstream, bringing clouds and gray skies during the night, hardly any precipitation, moderate westerly winds in the northern mountain ranges, higher temperatures (not on the southern flank of the Alps). At 2000 m: -0 degrees; at 1500 m: +4 degrees. On Thursday, increasing sunshine, mild. Heavy clouds on the northern flank of the Alps, some brief showers. Westerly winds will be brisk, temperatures dropping by 3 degrees.

Avalanche danger levels are not expected to change significantly.