Central Karawanks

The current snowpack pattern is uncommon and requires special attention and caution!

Large amount of new snow, snowdrift accumulations and a weak layer in the old snow cover.

In the mountains, a significant amount of new snow has fallen over the last two days above an altitude of around 1500 m. Lower down, it has snowed partly (wetter snow) and rained partly. More dangerous are the places where south winds have built up large snow drifts. In shaded areas, there is a weak layer deep in the snowpack. Spontaneous avalanches are still possible, possibly larger ones. Gliding avalanches are possible. In the current conditions, we advise against visiting the high alpine regions!

The weak snowpack of previous snowfalls has received a greater amount of snow, and the new snow is poorly bonded to the old base. In the last two-day snow episode, 70-100 cm of New fallen snow fell in the high alpine regions, possibly more than one metre. South winds have built up new large drifts on the leeward sides of ridges. Deep and persistent weak layers are present in the old snow cover. The snowpack is unstable.

Cloudy, some snow showers possible. Mostly light easterly winds. Temperatures at 1500 m will be around 0 °C, at 2500 m around -5 °C.

Conditions will remain challenging in the days ahead.