Wölz Tauern South

Caution: isolated naturally triggered glide-snow avalanches

Caution: isolated naturally triggered glide-snow avalanches

Above 1500 m avalanche danger is moderate. Based on open glide cracks, glide-snow avalanches cannot be excluded. Danger zones occur on steep grass-covered slopes, hillsides and in forest clearances. Glide cracks are indicators of potential danger, they should be circumvented. Acute danger of falling on steep icy slopes.

Snow distribution is highly diverse. Whereas northwest-facing and wind-exposed slopes are often completely bare of snow, wind-loaded slopes and gullies are filled to the brim. The snowpack is compact and without marked weak layers. B elow 2000 m it is nearly isotherrm, almost zero degrees, and wet at ground level. The snowpack glides downhill over smooth ground. The surface below 2200 m is filled with rain seepage channels, highly unpleasant for skiers; at high altitudes it is frozen and capable of bearing loads, and can turn to firn on sunny slopes by midday.

During the nocturnal hours the high-altitude airstream will shift from westerly to southwesterly. On New Year’s Eve, clouds will move over the southern flank of the Alps bringing a bit of rainfall; the northern flank of the Alps will be slightly foehn-impacted. By evening an Atlantic cold front will reach all of Styria from the northwest with precipitation and pass through on the night of New Year’s Eve. Above 1000 m (in the north) to 1200 m (in the south) 5-15 cm of fresh snow is anticipated. Winds will be moderate to brisk, von Gurktal and Seetal Alps to rimline ranges also stormy, from SE to SW. In the north at 2000 m: + 2 degrees; at 1500 m: +3 degrees. On the southern flank of the Alps, about 3 degrees lower.

On New Year’s Day, clouds will disperse gradually as the front passes by and it will turn quite a bit colder. Esp. on the eastern rim of the Alps a storm-strength W/NW wind will be blowing, through which fresh snowdrift patches can be generated.