Seetaler Alps

New snowdrifts due to storm-strength winds

New snowdrifts due to storm-strength winds

Avalanche focus lies in the regions of northern Upper Styria where snowfall has been heaviest. But the fresh snowdrift accumulations on the southern flank of the Alps should not be ignored, even though the amounts of new snow were minor. Most of the drifts were deposited on E/S aspects, thus the danger is set at moderate. Even minimum additional loading can trigger avalanches. Particularly the transitions from shallow to deep snow require caution.

Some snowdrift accumulations have been deposited atop a hardened, often surface hoar-encrusted surface. The old snowpack beneath was able to settle well, only on shady slopes are there faceted crystals surrounding the melt-freeze crusts which weaken the snowpack. Elsewhere the snowpack is generally hard and icy.

The Eastern Alps are caught in a classic northern barrier cloud situation: high-pressure front conditions are coming from the west, further to the east the northern barrier cloud situation persists. After the residual clouds disperse, gradually sunshine will appear in the Gurktal and Seetal Alps on Monday morning. The initially strong northerly winds will slacken off. Temperatures will reach -4 degrees at 2000 m; 0 degrees at 1500 m. On Tuesday, sunny high-pressure conditions will reign temporarily. Temperatures will rise significantly at all altitudes, and winds will intensify.

No change in the current avalanche and snow situation is expected.