Fischbach Alps East, Wechsel

Caution at high altitudes: persistent weak layer

Caution at high altitudes: persistent weak layer

Avalanche danger is low. Especially above the timberline, isolated danger spots for triggering avalanches exist, particularly in steep gullies and right behind protruberances in the weak old snow.

The snowpack is generally thin, showing many marks of intermediate warm phases which have made the snow cover moist at intermediate altitudes, at higher altitudes riddled with melt-freeze crusts. Atop this fundament there is a layer of fresher snow of diverse thickness on which, depending on snowfall level, rain or snow will fall at variable intensities. Trigger-sensitive weak layers exist inside the old snow.

A low over Italy is bringing instable conditions and gloomy mountain weather. Slopes and summits will be shrouded in heavy cloud all day long, visibility severely limited. Repeated bouts of light precipitation are possible starting in early morning, intensifying as the day unfolds. The snowfall level will lie at 1300-1500m in Northern Alps and Niedere Tauern in early morning. During the course of the day it will descend gradually to nearly 1000m. Winds in exposed terrain will be blowing at moderate to brisk strength from the west. Temperature at 2000m: -1 degree, dropping during the daytime hours. On Saturday, intensive snowfall all day long, down to low lying areas. Impressive amounts of fresh fallen snow are anticipated in the mountains. Poor visibility. Winds will be westerly, mostly moderate, intensifying later in the day. Temperatures will drop at all altitudes. At midday at 2000m: -6 degrees.

Significant increase in avalanche danger due to fresh snow.