Pongau Grass Mountains

For winter sports enthusiasts an extremely treacherous avalanche situation

For winter sports enthusiasts an extremely treacherous avalanche situation

Avalanche danger above the timberline is HIGH (Danger Level 4). Below that altitude danger is CONSIDERABLE. The snowpack is extremely prone to triggering. Naturally triggered as well as artificially triggered slab avalanches today, Friday, confirm the tense avalanche situation. On Friday night, naturally triggered avalanche activity will increase as a result of fresh snowfall and storm-strength winds. Starting zones on N/NE/E/SE facing slopes above the treeline are especially endangered. Avalanches can in places trigger in the weak old snowpack, fracture down to deeper layers, and grow to large size. Also near the treeline and further down, the proneness of the snowpack to triggering is high. Avalanches can in some places be triggered with ease and grow to medium size. Remote triggerings are possible. Much experience and much restraint is called for in winter sports enthusiasts in open terrain. On steep grass-covered slopes, naturally triggered glide-snow avalanches are possible.

There has been 40 to 60 cm of fresh snow registered widespread, more from place to place. NW winds were blowing mostly at strong velocity. By Saturday morning, another 20 to 40 cm will be added to that. Winds will be stormy over widespread areas. The fresh snow and freshly generated snowdrift accumulations are prone to triggering. In wind-protected terrain and lower down there are trigger-sensitive layers of snow-fluff and surface hoar beneath the latest fresh snowfall and snowdrift masses.

On Saturday, snowfall throughout the morning hours, sometimes heavy, later the snowfall will ease although many peaks will remain shrouded in clouds. At high altitudes above all else, stormy winds - on the Main Tauern Ridge gale-strength winds - from the northwest will be blowing. At 2000 m: -8 degrees; at 3000 m: -12 degrees.

It will remain dry, but stormy winds will prevail on the Main Alpine Ridge, then slacken off during the daytime hours. The snowpack will slowly consolidate, avalanche danger levels recede incrementally.