Totes Gebirge South

Beware avalanche danger due to freshly generated snowdrifts at high altitudes

Beware avalanche danger due to freshly generated snowdrifts at high altitudes

Avalanche danger at high altitudes is moderate, below that altitude danger is low. Fresh snow blankets older drifts, making potential danger zones difficult to recognize. Small-to-medium slab avalanches can thus trigger in freshly genearted and in old snowdrifts, esp. in steep terrain in extended east-facing terrain, behind discontinuties and in gulliees. Poor visibility makes recognizing the danger zones more difficult. Small naturally triggered loose-snow avalanches, esp. in case of rain impact or from solar radiation, are possible in steep rocky terrain. The danger of glide-snow avalanches on steep grass-covered slopes persists.

Snowfall level dropping. The fresh fallen snow will be deposited atop a moist or superficially consolidated old snowpack surface. Generally little wind impact, the surface is loose and can cover older drifts. In exposed terrain, strong winds can generate trigger-prone snowdrift accumulations. The old snowpack is compact, moist at intermediate altitudes, and instable. At high altitudes it is losing its firmness because of solar radiation. The moist fundament tends to glide over smooth ground.

On Monday night the NW airstream will bring precipitation and a dropping snowfall level (to 1300-1600 m). By morning in the Dachstein region and Totes Gebirge, up to 15 cm of fresh snow is possible, more from place to place, less in Niedere Tauern. Further east and south, hardly any precipitation. In afternoon, clouds will disperse from the NW. At 2000 m: 0 to -3 degrees; at 1500 m: 0 to +4 degrees. The NW winds will be moderate, stronger only at summit levels.

An intermediate high-pressure front will bring some sunshine on Wednesday, with milder temperatures. The danger of wet-snow/glide-snow slides will increase during the course of the day.