Pongau Grass Mountains

Considerable avalanche danger due to heavy fresh snow

Considerable avalanche danger due to heavy fresh snow

Avalanche danger above 1600 m is CONSIDERABLE (Danger level 3). On many steep slopes (>30°) avalanches can be triggered by minimum additional loading, grow to medium, even to large size. Danger zones increase with ascending altitude and as the day progresses. Due to the heavy snowfall, also naturally triggered avalanches are possible during the course of the day. Winter sports in outlying terrain require much experience and self-restraint in route selection. Glide-snow activity will increase below 2400 m, esp. on sunny slopes. Glide-snow avalanches can trigger naturally at any time of day or night in all aspects on steep grass-covered slopes, releases mostly medium-sized, sometimes larger. Avoid zones below glide-cracks.

At high altitudes, up to 50 cm of fresh snow is expected, locally more, usually 30-40 cm. Due to the intensity of the snowfall and large amounts, weak layers are generated inside the fresh fallen snow. Due to the swift increase of weight loaded onto the snowpack, even more deeply embedded weak layers can be triggered. The fresh snow is leading to rising gliding snow activity in all aspects.

During the night, a cold front will move in from the northwest, bringing intensifying winds and precipitation. By morning the snowfall level will descend to about 1100 m. The amounts of frsh snowfall during the night will still be minor (5-10 cm). On Friday, heavy clouds will reduce visibility from the start. Widespread snowfall, most along the Tauern and in the Nockberge. At higher valleys, 10-30 cm, in the mountains 60 cm, locally more. Winds at high alpine altitudes of the Main Alpine Ridge will be moderate to brisk from W/SW (gusts at 50 km/hr). At 2000 m: -6 to -3 degrees; at 3000 m: -10 degrees. Precipiation will persist in the early part of the night esp. in the southern regions, in the latter part of the night it will taper off noticeably.

Avalanche danger will decrease slightly.