Fischbach Alps East, Wechsel

Still moderate danger above treeline due to old snowdrift accumulations

Still moderate danger above treeline due to old snowdrift accumulations

Above the treeline moderate avalanche danger due to older snowdrift accumulations. Danger zones primarily on N/E facing slopes, especially behind protruberances and at entries into gullies and bowls slab avalanches can be triggered from the snowdrifts even by low additional loading in isolated cases.

Storm-strength winds on the southern Tauern flanks and in the rimline ranges have windblown much terrain completely bare of snow. The minor snowfall from Wednesday is bonding well with the old snow from last weekend, but older snowdrifts (which have not yet settled, due to low temperatures, esp. on shady slopes) are covered. Weak layers are making the snow prone to triggering. The base at ground level is often moist, on steep grassy slopes the snowpack is still gliding.

A low over central Italy and another low over Germany are sending moist/cold air masses to Styria. On Tuesday night some fresh snowfall is anticipated throughout Styria. In the course of the day on Wednesday the precipitation will temporarily stop, than starting at midday, particularly between Dachstein and Ennstal Alps, recommence. Only minor amounts are expected. Skies will remain gray, clouds will disperse only in the western rimline ranges during the afternoon. The NW winds will be blowing at moderate strength, at storm strength east of the Hochschwab. Temperatures at midday at 2000 m: -7 degrees; at 1500 m: -3 degrees. Also on Thursday, the northern barrier cloud regions will have heavy cloud cover, a bit of minor snowfall is possible. Further to the south, sunshine is expected. On Friday, markedly higher temperatures.

No significant change to start with. The cold is preserving the potential weak layers. Only as temperatures rise will the situation calm.