Fischbach Alps East, Wechsel

Snowdrifts at high altitudes, naturally triggered avalanches at low altitudes

Snowdrifts at high altitudes, naturally triggered avalanches at low altitudes

Avalanche danger down to intermediate altitudes is moderate, below that altitude danger is low. Snowdrifts are the cause of danger zones at high altitudes, they extend down to sparsely wooded zones, esp. in N/E/S aspects. On wind-loaded slopes and in drifted clearances, as well as in general behind protruberances, slabs can be triggered. Caution urged towards freshly formed cornices - they are instable. At intermediate and low altitudes the early morning warmth can cause naturally triggered wet-snow and glide-snow avalanches on sunny slopes, in isolated cases they can endanger exposed transportation routes.

Fresh snow and stormy NW winds generated new trigger-sensitive drifts on Monday. Potential weak layers are the soft layers inside the fresh drifts and inside the old snow on shady slopes. The snowpack is highly irregular: windblown zones alternate with cavities filled to the brim with drifts. On sunny slopes the snowpack is already moist and becomes moister during the course of the day.

On Wednesday, generally sunny weather will prevail. In the morning between Gurktal Alps and Wechsel region there will be some clouds, but they will disperse over midday. Generally sunny in the afternoon. Winds have eased but will still be brisk from the west (over 50 km/hr) - especially in the Wechsel region where 70 km/hr is possible. Milder. At 2000 m: 4 degrees. The zero-degree level will ascend to 3000 m.

Due to warmth and solar radiation, the snowpack will gradually stabilize.