Wölz Tauern South

Weak layers in persistent weak layers remain prone to triggering

Weak layers in persistent weak layers remain prone to triggering

The avalanche risk is still moderate above around 1900 metres and low below. There is still a persistent weak layer problem. The avalanche prone locations are limited but still difficult to recognise. These are mainly on north to east facing slopes above 1900 metres. Here, slab avalanches can still be triggered by individuals in some places. With the sometimes strong wind, fresh wind slabs are forming in the northern Alps, which can be triggered as slabs.

The surface hoar, angular shapes or a hard old snowpack will be covered by wind slab and new fallen snow on Friday. However, large amounts of new snow are not yet expected. In the northern and eastern exposures, the old snowpack will continue to be weakened by crusts and layers with faceted crystals and floating snow; the persistent weak layer problem remains.

The evening and night will bring some snow or rain showers with partly brisk westerly to north-westerly winds from the main Alpine ridge northwards, with only isolated showers to the south. On Friday morning, the last snowfall in the northern Alps will subside in the morning, followed by fairly sunny weather throughout the mountains.

On Saturday, clouds will rapidly gather again from the south-west, with rain and snow in the afternoon. A cold front with strong winds and a drop in temperature will follow in the night to Sunday. The risk of avalanches is expected to increase at the weekend.