Türnitzer Alpen

Low avalanche danger, watch out for fresh pillows of wind drifted snow at high altitudes.

Low avalanche danger, watch out for fresh pillows of wind drifted snow at high altitudes.

The avalanche risk is low (level 1). Fresh pillows of wind drifted snow can be found occasionally in aspects from north to south-east and can be triggered as small slab avalanches by individual winter sports enthusiasts adjacent to ridgelines. There is a persistent weak layer problem on shady slopes at high altitudes - avalanches can occasionally tear through the old snow, but remain small. The risk of entrainment, falling and injury outweighs the risk of burial. Hardness or icy surfaces can be covered by little snow and be difficult to recognise.

Around 5 cm of new fallen snow will fall in the night to Sunday. In the Türnitz Alps it could be up to 10 cm. With the strong north-westerly wind, pillows of wind drifted snow will form, which will be deposited on a crusted can form surface of old snow at higher altitudes. The foundation of the old snowpack is still weakened by deep rime and faceted crystals at shady high altitudes. There are usually several melt-freeze crusts on top. In general, there is little snow, in southern aspects and below around 1300 metres, the slopes were mostly bare before the snowfall.

It will be cloudy on Sunday night and it will gradually start to snow. The wind picks up during the night. On Sunday there will be a few more snow showers in the Türnitz Alps. Further east, the snowfall will gradually subside and the sun will prevail in the afternoon. The wind will drop significantly in the evening. In the Türnitz Alps, 5 to 10 cm will accumulate. Between the Göller and Schneeberg mountains and in the Gutenstein Alps, however, only up to 5 cm of new fallen snow is expected. The snowfall level is mostly at low altitudes. It will cool down considerably. At midday, temperatures between -7 and -11 degrees are expected at an altitude of 2000 metres. At 1500 metres, the temperature will be between -4 and -8 degrees.

The avalanche danger remains the same. In the night to Monday, strong to stormy westerly winds will develop with the passage of a warm front. Monday will be mostly free of precipitation and the clouds will soften at times. In the evening and on Tuesday night, a north-westerly weather pattern sets in, making a few centimetres of new fallen snow possible again.