Fischbach Alps East, Wechsel

Fresh snowdrifts on east-facing slopes

Fresh snowdrifts on east-facing slopes

Avalanche danger above the treeline is considerable. New danger zones occur on west-facing slopes. On north-facing slopes where there is a persistent weak layer. Older snowdrifts occur on east and south-facing slopes. Slabs are possible with minimum additional loading. Whumpf noises are alarm signals.

Over the last few days the cold northerly wind has transported the snow to east and south-facing slopes. Snowdrifts lie deposited on north-facing slopes atop an unfavourably layers old snowpack. On sunny slopes the old snowpack is mostly hard. As cold easterly winds set in, the snow was then transported to west-facing slopes. The cold drifts bond poorly with the old snowpack beneath them.

At the edge of a low over Italy, the front has the southeastern regions in its grip. Weather conditions are highly inhospitable: heavy clouds, peaks wreathed in fog, snowfall in the western regions of Styria: intensive and persistent, focal point in the Gaaler and southern Wölzer Tauern. Between Monday midday and Tuesday midday, more than 50 cm of fresh snow is anticipated, plus stormy E/NE winds (up to 80 km/hr). In Schladminger Tauern, much less snowfall. At 2000 m: -4 degrees. Snowfall level at about 800 m.

Considerable avalanche danger will persist.