Pongau Grass Mountains

Lots of fresh snow: considerable danger

Lots of fresh snow: considerable danger

Avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE above the treeline, below that altitude danger is MODERATE. Fresh snow and freshly generated snowdrifts above the treeline are easily triggered in some places in all aspects, also naturally, esp in gullies, bowls, behind abrupt drops in the terrain. Danger zones are not visible to the naked eye, increase with ascending altitude. Unfavourable conditions for backcountry tours. In addition, on previously bare grassy slopes below 2400 m, the danger of glide-snow avalanches will increase. Isolated small-to-medium sized naturally triggered glide-snow avalanches are possible.

From the moment the precipitation started on Wednesday night until the tapering off on Friday afternoon, up to 40-60 cm of fresh snow is expected, snowfall level at 800-1000 m. On Friday, strong NW winds will set in, transport the cold, loose snow and deposit drifts atop unbonded snow on leeward slopes. With the weight of fresh snow, the trigger-sensitivity of the snowpack will increase. Bonding is slow. Above 2600 m there are expansively metamorphosed (faceted) layers bordering melt-freeze crusts inside the old snowpack, further weakened by the fresh snow. At intermediate altitudes on sunny slopes at high altitudes the fresh snow fell on bare ground. There, on grassy slopes, gliding snow masses can be expected.

Also on Friday, poor visibility and heavy snowfall can be expected. Less snowfall in the Lungau, everywhere else snowfall will be heavy, particularly in the Northern Alps. It will ease in the afternoon. Winds moderate to brisk, stronger in Tauern and Nockberge, from W/NW. At 2000 m: -5 degrees; at 3000 m: -12 degrees.

Warmer temperatures and solar radiation will cause numerous naturally triggered small-to-medium loose-snow avalanches and glide-snow avalanches in intermediate terrain. Through improved bonding of fresh snow to snowpack, the likelihood of slab avalanches triggering will be higher for a short time.