Mürzsteg Alps

Caution urged towards fresh snowdrifts on E/S facing slopes

Caution urged towards fresh snowdrifts on E/S facing slopes

Moderate danger prevails at high altitudes. Danger zones are freshly generated snowdrift accumulations on E/S facing slopes where slabs can often be triggered by the weight of one person. Particularly ridgeline slopes and entries into gullies and bowls need to be assessed critically. In addition, on north-facing slopes in shady high-altitude terrain, isolated older snowdrifts can be triggered as slabs, particularly in transitions from shallow to deep snow - avoid them! At lower altitudes the snowpack is largely stable, due to recent temperature shifts.

In the Northern Alps there was up to 20 cm of fresh snow registered, accompanied by strong northerly winds. In the southern sectors there have been fresh snowdrifts accumulated. The fresh snow and drifts were deposited atop a melt-freeze encrusted old snowpack or atop older snowdrifts. The new snowdrift masses are prone to triggering and can also contain weak layers. In transitions to the old snow, weak layers can be formed (cold on warm). In shady high altitude terrain, faceted crystals are weakening the fundament.

Sunday will bring slight weather improvement, but it will remain cold. In the morning, heavy clouds in the northern barrier cloud regions, in the afternoon some cloudbanks will pass through the southern regions and impair the sun somewhat. Winds will shift to northeasterly, and be strong in the Hochschwab region and the rimline ranges. Temperature at 2000m: -11 degrees.

Monday will be variably cloudy and cold. Avalanche danger is not expected to change significantly.