Pongau Grass Mountains

Combined old and wind slab problem

Combined old and wind slab problem

The avalanche risk is moderate from the sparse high forest upwards. In some places, avalanches can be triggered by even a small additional load in the persistent weak layer and can reach medium size. Be careful at the transition from lots of snow to little snow.

The drift snow accumulations, some of which are difficult to recognise, are relatively well placed. However, if they are disturbed at one of the few trigger points, avalanches can break through into the persistent weak layer and then become medium sized. Caution is also advised on and below cornices.

On isolated typical slopes, sliding snow activity can set in, and loose snow activity can also occur during longer sun windows.

At higher, windless locations, there is an average of 40 cm of new and drift snow from the last week, while exposed locations are heavily blown and snowdrift accumulations are correspondingly thick. The snow came to rest on a thin melt-freeze crust from the weekend, in the vicinity of which faceted crystals are forming. At high altitudes on the shady slopes, angular forms and deep rime (also in combination with crusts) can be found even deeper in the old snowpack. Fractures are most likely to occur within the no longer quite fresh snowdrift accumulations, increasingly also on the uppermost crust, and only occasionally in the deep rime.

During the night, it will snow frequently from dense clouds in the northern Alps with a snowfall level of around 900 metres. In total, around 3 to 10 cm of new fallen snow will accumulate. On Friday, the clouds will soften and often let the sun shine. During the day, cumulus clouds will form again, restricting visibility in places. The clouds will clear again later in the afternoon. A moderately strong to brisk north-westerly wind will blow. At 1500 metres the temperature will be -2 to 1 degree, at 2000 metres -6 to -3 degrees.

On Saturday, changeable weather and similar avalanche risk.