Fischbach Alps East, Wechsel

Low avalanche danger, small fresh snowdrift patches

Low avalanche danger, small fresh snowdrift patches

Avalanche danger is generally low. Danger zones on E/W facing slopes near ridges and behind discontinuities in the terrain, thin snowdrift patches have formed which can be triggered as slab avalanches in isolated cases.The dangers of falling outweigh those of being buried in snow masses.

Snowdrift accumulations are relatively small, but poorly bonded esp. on N/E facing slopes. Faceted layers and surface hoar clinging to a melt-freeze crust are potential weak layers. The old snowpack beneath them is compact, without marked weak layers. The snowpack surface is melt-freeze encrusted, hard and often icy. Some fresh snowdrifts near wooded zones have the quality of powder.

After the perturbance passes through during the night, dry and cold air masses from the NW will determine the weather in Styria’s mountains on Saturday. After final residual clouds disperse along the Northern Alps, cloudless skies will prevail with outstanding visibility. At 2000 m at midday: -10 degrees; at 1500 m: -8 degrees. The NW winds will be light, brisker on the eastern rim of the Alps. Also on Sunday, tranquil weather, rising temperatures, a few clouds in the afternoon.

The snowpack will settle on sunny slopes. Snowdrifts on shady slopes remain the problem.