Ybbstaler Alpen

Pay attention to wet snow and persistent weak layer problems

Pay attention to wet snow and persistent weak layer problems

The avalanche risk is moderate above around 1500 metres and low below. Small, wet loose snow avalanches can still detach themselves from undischarged areas in rocky and rugged terrain as well as on very steep forest slopes, but many areas are already discharged. On snowy steep slopes with a smooth surface (e.g. long grass or foliage cover), small gliding avalanches are also possible. In a few places in the terrain, small to medium-sized slab avalanches can also be triggered by winter sports enthusiasts. Avalanche prone locations for dry slab avalanches are most likely to be found on shady steep slopes above the tree line, wet slab avalanches are still conceivable in isolated cases in the extended eastern and western exposures. In exposed locations, the snow surface is hard and icy in places and there is a risk of falling.

With the clouds at night, the snow surface can hardly cool down and is already soft and not load-bearing in the morning. Depending on the aspect, the snowpack is damp or wet up to high altitudes. On steep grassy slopes and forest embankments with large snow reserves, the entire snowpack can start to glide snow. At shady high altitudes, there are prone to triggering weak layers in the transition to the hardness of the old snowpack. This is unfavourably structured and weakened in places with embedded crusts and faceted crystals.

Overnight, clouds will move through again and again and it will be foggy in places. At the beginning of the meteorological spring, it will be unsettled on Sunday with an approaching, weak cold front. Where it is still sunny at first, the clouds will become denser from midday at the latest and then there will be unproductive precipitation, mostly rain. The snowfall level will be around 1800 metres above sea level. The high-altitude wind will be weak. Temperatures at 1500 metres above sea level around 4 degrees.

A mixture of sun and clouds at the start of the week. No significant change in the avalanche risk.