Fischbach Alps East, Wechsel

Loss of snowpack firmness due to warmth. Trigger-sensitive drifts esp.on shady slopes.

Loss of snowpack firmness due to warmth. Trigger-sensitive drifts esp.on shady slopes.

Through the higher temperatures, avalanche prone locations on sunny slopes are diminishing, on shady slopes they persist, at least at higher altitudes. Poor visibility prevails, making it difficult to recognize the danger zones.

Stormy NW winds on Sunday created windblown summits and ridges, generated new drifts on leeward slopes which extend to below the treeline. At the start of the new week, a marked weather change will bring much milder temperatures and lead, at least on sunny slopes, to a settling of the snowpack and slow decrease of the embedded weak layers. On the other hand, the snow will lose its stability through the rain. On shady slopes, reserves of cold are greater, the settling process will move more slowly, mostly by the snow softening (little wind) and the hoar will persist (clear skies of outgoing radiation).

On Sunday evening a warm front will reach Styria. Clouds will descend, become dense, the peaks will disappear in fog. On Sunday night snow showers (later on, rain showers) will extend to the Fischbacher Alps and the Wechsel and further south, but only minor amounts are anticipated. Strong-to-stormy NW winds will make temperatures rise measurably: at midday at 1500 m: +1 degree, at 1000 m +2 degrees. Tuesday will also be gloomy and mild. Winds will gradually ease. Clouds will disperse somewhat during the morning, more sunshine is then expected.

Avalanche danger levels will slowly recede.