Mur Mountains, Gurktal Alps

15 to 30 cm of new fallen snow with wind on a weak old snowpack! Tricky situation for winter sports in open terrain!

15 to 30 cm of new fallen snow with wind on a weak old snowpack! Tricky situation for winter sports in open terrain!

The avalanche risk is considerable above around 1800 metres. Medium-sized slab avalanches can be triggered by individuals in some places, especially from west to north to east. Fractures can tear through the poorly built-up persistent weak layer. The avalanche prone locations are barely recognisable and should be assessed defensively. Remote triggering is possible. Take particular care in the transition from a little to a lot of snow and in the snow-covered entrance areas of gullies and bowls. On sunny slopes, wet slides can come loose from very steep slopes.

The snow that fell in the middle of the week in mostly moderate winds deposited on a poorly built-up old snowpack and formed a bonded layer (board). Fractures can occur within the old snowpack, which often consists of a sequence of melt-freeze crusts and angular forms or deep rime. In addition, existing weak layers at the transition from the overlay to the old snowpack can be disturbed. The snowpack is moistened on the sunny slopes and at lower elevations.

During the night to Sunday, fog will form in many places, reaching up to 2000 metres. With a weak high-pressure influence, the high fog will lift in places during the day and the sun will shine through in the western mountain groups. In general, the higher peaks around 2000 metres should be clear everywhere. Unproductive precipitation may fall from the fog in places. Temperatures at 2000 metres will be around -3 degrees, at 1500 metres between -2 and +1 degrees. The wind will be light from south-westerly directions.

Thick patches of high fog will persist below 2000 metres, particularly on the southern side of the Alps. The risk of avalanches is slowly decreasing.