Weisseck, Muhr Valley

Fresh wind slab lies on a weak old snowpack

Fresh wind slab lies on a weak old snowpack

The risk of avalanches is considerable above around 2000 metres and low below. Slab avalanches can be triggered in some places by low additional loads and can reach medium size. Both fresh and older drift snowpacks as well as the weakly built-up old snowpack can be disturbed, whereby fractures can tear through. Avalanche prone locations are found in north-west, north to east facing steep terrain, but also in the southern sector and generally next to blown-off areas. They increase rapidly from the tree line onwards. Isolated remote triggering is still possible, drifting snow areas should be avoided on a large scale. Whumpfing collapsing sounds can indicate danger. Terrain traps are less full due to a lack of snow and are therefore more effective.

With warm temperatures, the snow cover was moistened up to around 2000 m and froze overnight to form at least a thin melt-freeze crust; in some areas it is icy next to the fresh drift snow. The transition from fresh and slightly older wind slab to old snowpack (faceted crystals on/under the crust) usually serves as a weak layer. Deeper in the persistent weak layer are further weak layers of faceted crystals and deep rime, often near crusts. Ridges and ridges are often completely blown off when the snow conditions are below average.

During the night, the sky will be clear and in the open high-altitude areas of the Tauern, winds will continue to blow southeast to south at times with gusts of up to 60 km/h. On Wednesday, the sunny weather will continue with good visibility and dry air. The wind will be mostly light to moderate. The temperature at 2000 metres will be between -5 and +2 degrees, at 3000 metres around -6 degrees.

As the south foehn subsides, the wind slab problem is decreasing but the persistent weak layer problem remains.