Pongau Grass Mountains

Increasing danger during the day. A treacherous situation for winter sports enthusiasts.

Increasing danger during the day. A treacherous situation for winter sports enthusiasts.

Avalanche danger will increase during the day. Above the treeline, danger will be HIGH (Danger Level 4). Fresh snowdrift masses in all aspects, also distant from ridgeline and near the treeline, can be triggered even by one person and grow to medium size. Danger zones will increase in size and frequency during the course of the day: as of afternoon in all aspects. Avalanches can be large-sized. Medium-to-large sized naturally triggered avalanches are possible and these releases can fracture down to weak layers in the snowpack and grow larger still. Below the treeline the situation is more favourable. Avalanches can trigger also there, esp. in untracked terrain, forest lanes, and grow to medium size. Beware the runout zones of avalanches which release further up. A great deal of experience is essential - as well as much restraint - in outlying terrain.

On Thursday fresh snow is expected (40-60 cm), more from place to place, the highest intensity snowfall will be in late afternoon and early evening. Snowfall level: 400-700 m. Strong NW winds. Many layers of fresh snow and drifts are bonding poorly with the old snowpack, making them prone to trigger while the snowfall is going on. In the lower part of the snowpack are trigger-sensitive weak layers which can be triggered with ease as a slab avalanche by the weight of fresh snow and snowdrifts.

The Northern Alps will be shrouded in cloud, snow showers will pass through in the morning. Further south, the clouds will disperse somewhat, but visibility will remain flat. Strong to stormy W/NW winds. At 2000 m: -7 degrees; at 3000 m: -13 degrees.

On Friday the precipitation will ease, but winds will intensify in the afternoon anew, reach storm strength. Fresh snow will be transported, naturally triggered avalanches will be possible from the snowdrifts. On Friday night, a warm front will bring another round of precipitation from the northwest.