Wölz Tauern South

Snowdrift accumulations at high altitudes, naturally triggered wet-snow activity at intermediate altitudes

Snowdrift accumulations at high altitudes, naturally triggered wet-snow activity at intermediate altitudes

Avalanche danger is low, but on high-altitude north-facing slopes there are isolated danger zones where freshly generated snowdrift accumulations can trigger small slab avalanches, mostly by large additional loading. In addition, isolated wet slides cannot be excluded. Beware potential starting zones.

The snowpack base is stable by and large, but moist at the base, tending to glide over smooth ground. At low altitudes there is hardly any snow on the ground. Elsewhere the snowpack is well bonded up to high altitudes. On south-facing slopes the snowpack is moist-to-wet, only on north-facing slopes are the uppermost layers still dry, thus, they can be transported by the southerly foehn winds, deposited as thin, fresh snowdrift accumulations, poorly bonded with dry-snow surfaces, better bonded with the moist surfaces at intermediate altitudes. On shady slopes, still reserves of cold up to summit levels.

Sunday will be pleasant from the start, but high altitude cirrus clouds will hamper the sunshine somewhat in all of Styria. A storm-strength SW wind will be blowing widespread. At 2000 m: +1 degree; at 1500 m: +5 degrees; in the south at 2000 m around 0 degrees; at 1500 m: +3 degrees.

On Monday, predominantly cloudy, isolated minor precipitation possible, snowfall level above 1800 m on the Main Alpine Ridge. Winds will shift to northerly and be blowing at moderate velocity. The snowdrift problem will recede swiftly, however on Tuesday some precipitation will generated new drifts due to brisk NW winds.