Seetaler Alps

Considerable avalanche danger due to fresh snowdrift accumulations at high altitudes

Considerable avalanche danger due to fresh snowdrift accumulations at high altitudes

Avalanche danger in the Gurktal and Seetal Alps, on Packalpe and Koralpe above the timberline is CONSIDERABLE, below that altitude danger is LOW. Fresh snow and stormy NW winds have generated wide-ranging snowdrift accumulations in all aspects during the last few days. On Thursday they will increase in size and spread. The drifted masses lie near to and distant from ridgelines, in steep gullies and bowls, near the edge of the treeline and in sparsely wooded zones. Highest caution urged in transitions from shallow to deep snow and at entries into gullies and bowls. The snowdrift accumulations are often blanketed by fresh snow, making them hard to spot. Weak layers in the fresh snow and drifts can be triggered by one person and grow to dangerously large size. Poor visibility makes assessment on-site very difficult. Also, there are isolated weak layers inside the snowpack which can be triggered due to the weight of the fresh snow and drifts - large sized avalanches can be the result.

On Tuesday night and on Wednesday there was not much snowfall. Loose layers on the surface were transported by strong NW winds to all aspects. Weak layers are inside the fresh drifts and in transitions to other layers and to drifted masses. Also, inside the snowpack are weak layers of faceted crystals bordering against melt-freeze crusts which weaken the fundament. These are few in number and generally triggerable only by large additional loading.

A strong NW air current is bringing stormy winds and some snowfall. Snowfall will start on Thursday morning, persist until evening and be heavy in the afternoon (snowfall level 800-1000 m, rainfall lower down). Up to 20 cm of fresh snow is possible, amid strong NW winds. At 2000 m: -6 degrees; the zero-degree level lies at 1200 m. The snowfall will persist until Friday morning, then ease. The snowfall level will ascend to nearly 1000-1200 m during the day. Strong NW winds will continue to blow. At 2000 m: -4 degrees, the zero-degree level will ascend to 1500 m during the course of the day.

No significant change in avalanche danger is expected.