Pongau Grass Mountains

Blanketed danger zones

Blanketed danger zones

Avalanche danger above 1800 m is MODERATE, below that altitude danger is LOW. Freshly generated snowdrift accumulations are found near ridgelines, in foehn lanes also distant from ridgeline on north-facing slopes. They can grow to medium size and are prone to triggering, mostly by large additional loading. Danger zones are difficult to recognize (often blanketed by fresh snow). Most avalanche prone locations are found on north and east facing slopes. Special caution is urged at entries into gullies and bowls and in transitions from shallow to deep snow. Slabs can fracture both in transitions to fresh snow/snowdrifts as well as in the old snowpack.

On a snowpack showing heavy impact from foehn wind from the beginning of the week, a few cm of fresh snow has been deposited. Exposed terrain is utterly windblown, Gullies and bowls are filled to the brim with drifts. The old snowpack has both in embedded layers and at ground level become expansively metamorphosed, atop of which are melt-freeze crusts and, just below the surface, embedded hoar.

On Tuesday night, an additional 5-10 cm of fresh snow is expected. On Wednesday the snow showers will taper off, visibility will improve, a bit of sunshine is expected. Towards evening the snow showers will become more frequent. Winds will be mostly light. At 2000 m: -8 degrees; at 3000 m: -15 degrees. On Thursday, reduced visibility due to fog, bright intervals will be seldom. Intermittent light snowfall. Winds will be moderate to strong from west to north. At 2000 m: -11 degrees; at 3000 m: -17 degrees.

Little change is expected.