Fischbach Alps East, Wechsel

Low avalanche danger. Southern regions have better weather.

Low avalanche danger. Southern regions have better weather.

Avalanche danger in Styria is low. At intermediate and low altitudes the danger of naturally triggered glide-snow avalanches on steep smooth grassy slopes still threatens. These can trigger at any time of day or night, zones below glide cracks should be avoided. Due to diffuse solar radiation, increasingly frequent wet loose-snow avalanches can trigger from steep zones which have not yet discharged. On very seteep N/E facing slopes at high altitude, in addition, isolated slab avalanches cannot be ruled out by large additional loading (persistent weak layer).

The snowpack has settled well, is mostly stable. On higher-altitude shady slopes the snowpack is mostly dry, moist lower down, in places it is already isotherm. Depending on wind impact and solar radiation, the surface is melt-freeze encrusted or hardened, a loose layer exists only on shady wind-protected slopes. Trigger-sensitive weak layers exist more deeply embedded inside the snowpack in the form of faceted crystals around older melt-freeze crusts. In addition, when the snowpack is thoroughly wet there is a wet sliding layer in the transitions to the ground which is responsible for glide-snow avalanches.

The brisk NW air current is weakening. On Monday, still moist air masses in Upper Styria. A high-pressure front will slowly gain the upper hand during the day. In the Northern Alps and on the northern flank of Niedere Tauern, the perturbance will persist with lots of cloud and fog, light snowfall above 1000 m. Further south the clouds will swiftly disperse, sunshine can then be expected. Starting at midday, more pleasant conditions also in the northern regions. Winds will remain stormy, particularly in the rimline ranges. At 2000 m: +1 degree; at 1500 m: +3 degrees. On Tuesday, sunny weather everywhere with very few clouds, a touch milder, and the winds will be lighter. Only from Hochschwab and eastwards will it remain stormy.

No change is expected. Caution: daytime danger cycle.