Weisseck, Muhr Valley

Fresh snowdrifts at high altitudes, increasing gliding snow at intermediate altitudes

Fresh snowdrifts at high altitudes, increasing gliding snow at intermediate altitudes

Avalanche danger is moderate. Due to smoe fresh snow and wind, fresh, thin snowdrift accumulations are being generated, deposited mostly near ridges and in steep gullies and bowls where they can trigger by one person above 2400 m. Avalanches in snowdrifts are usually small-to-medium. On very steep N/E/W facing slopes above 2400 m, also weak layers in the old snow can trigger by large additional loading. Slabs can become large-sized. Caution in transitions from shallow to deep snow, e.g. at entries into gullies and bowls. Due to rain impact the snowpack is becoming wetter. In steep grass-covered terrain, naturally triggered glide-snow avalanches are possible at any time, esp. below 2400 m. Glide-snow avalanches are usually small, occasionally larger higher up.

During the course of the day, 10-20 cm of fresh snow is expected, deposited atop a moist, warm snowpack surface above 2400 m, bonding well. Weak layers inside the fresh drifts can be prone to triggering. On shady slopes there are faceted layers near a melt-freeze crust which are trigger-prone. At low and intermediate altitudes the snowpack is already thoroughly wet down to the ground.

During the nocturnal hours, initially clear skies, then clouds will move in, first in the high regions of the Tauern with storm-strength southerly winds, later on slackening off. On Friday, cloudy right from the start, a bit of rainfall/snowfall is possible during the morning, snowfall level initially at 1800-2000 m, then dropping by evening to 1500 m. The winds will be moderate from the south. At 2000 m: +1 degree, dropping to 0 degrees; at 3000 m: -6 degrees.

Avalanche danger levels are not expected to change significantly. Due to further snowfall and wind, size and frequency of snowdrift masses will increase.