Fischbach Alps East, Wechsel

Low avalanche danger. But caution urged towards small snowdrifts at high altitudes!

Low avalanche danger. But caution urged towards small snowdrifts at high altitudes!

Avalanche danger is generally low. Only above the treeline are there isolated danger zones in the form of shallow snowdrift accumulations, particularly at entries into steep gullies and directly behind protruberances in the terrain where small slab avalanches can be triggered.

Prior to the onset of winter on Friday, there was a cohesive area-wide snowpack only above about 1500 m. This snowpack fundament is marked by intermittent phases of higher temperatures and rainfall, making it moist at intermediate altitudes and melt-freeze encrusted at high altitudes, or at least riddled with such crusts. Surface hoar was formed on the surface in many places during the night of clear skies on Thursday. Atop this fundament, minor amounts of fresh snow will be deposited on Friday accompanied by storm-strength NW winds, which will lead to small-sized snowdrifts being generated. In transitions to the old snow, weak layers are possible (surface hoar).

Strong NW winds in the southern mountain ranges of Styria are bringing dispersed cloud cover and - quite contrary to the northern barrier cloud regions - only occasional snow showers. At 2000 m, temperatures lie at a wintery -12 degrees, but feels far colder due to the wind.

Avalanche danger will remain low.