Totes Gebirge South

Significant avalanche danger above the tree line!

Significant avalanche danger above the tree line!

The avalanche risk increases rapidly with altitude and is assessed as considerable above the tree line. The persistent weak layer problem is still present and is currently exacerbated by fresh wind slab. The avalanche prone locations are from north-west to south-east on slopes that have been blown in, in terrain adjacent to ridgelines and at the entrances to gullies and bowls. Medium-sized slab avalanches can be triggered by individuals.

Up to 30 cm of new fallen snow has fallen since Saturday, with a few centimetres more to come on Tuesday. Stormy north-westerly winds led to extensive drifting. Some of the fresh wind slab snow contains weak layers and the snow base, fundament is weakened by snow-covered surface hoar and floating snow.

A cold front will reach the country from the north-west on Tuesday night, bringing new fallen snow along the northern side of the Alps. A total of up to 20 cm of new fallen snow is expected in the western northern Alps and the northern Niedere Tauern. The wind is blowing briskly from the north-west. The temperature at 2000 metres will be around -8 degrees. The weather will improve again in the afternoon.

It will remain largely free of precipitation on Wednesday and the frost at higher altitudes will weaken. On Thursday, an Adriatic low pressure system from the south-west will bring snow and rain at low altitudes. No change in the avalanche risk for the time being.