Villach Alps

Caution: weak layers in old snowpack

Caution: weak layers in old snowpack

Avalanches can be triggered by one sole skier in some pladces and, in isolated cases, grow to large size, particularly on shady wind-protected slopes in zones where snowfall has been heavy. In isolated cases avalanches can fracture down to the wet old snow and sweep it along, releases thereby possibly reaching medium size. In addition, in places avalanches can be triggered in the surface layers, releases usually small but easily triggerable. Due to solar radiation, small-sized loose avalanches are possible.

Since Tuesday above 1800m, there has been 30-40cm of fresh snow, locally more. The strong-velocity winds have transported the fresh snow, wind-protected zones above 2400m: in the lower part of the snowpack are faceted expansively metamorphosed weak layer. Shady slopes where the snow is shallos above 1800m: fresh snow and drifts blanket a weak old snowpack. Shady slopes below 1800m: the fresh snow lies deposited atop a thoroughly wet old snowpack.

Friday will begin with sunshine. In the afternoon, cloud cover will increase. Peaks will often be in the clear, but visibiliity will often be diffuse. Only light SW winds. At 3000m: -10 degrees; at 2000m: -2 degrees; at 1000m: +6 degrees. Source: GeoSphere Austria

No significant change in avalanche danger levels anticipated