Ybbstaler Alpen

Wet snow problem at the bottom, wind slab problem at the top

Wet snow problem at the bottom, wind slab problem at the top

The avalanche risk is moderate at higher altitudes until the morning due to the problem of old snow; with incoming radiation and warming, the avalanche risk is moderate at all altitudes from late morning. Wet loose snow avalanches can detach themselves, especially in extremely steep terrain, especially on sunny slopes. Spontaneous avalanche activity increases somewhat during the daytime changes. Gliding avalanches are only possible in isolated cases on steep, snowy slopes with a smooth surface. Above the tree line, older drift snow areas can be triggered in places as slab avalanches, especially on shady steep slopes (persistent weak layer problem). The old snowpack exposed in exposed locations is hard and icy in places and there is a risk of avalanches.

In the last 24 hours, up to 40 cm of new fallen snow, the largest amounts in the Ybbstal Alps, fell with strongly changing snowfall levels. Stormy winds led to extensive drifting. The connection between the drift snow layer and the old snowpack is often insufficient. Prone to triggering weak layers in the form of snow deposits of varying hardness also exist in the bound layer in places. At shady high altitudes, the old snowpack is unfavourably structured in places with crusts and embedded faceted crystals. At medium altitudes, the snow is moist or wet. Warming and incoming radiation lead to soaking, decreasing firmness and destabilisation up to higher altitudes. The snowpack can start to glide snow on steep grass and forest slopes.

The night will pass without any clouds. The north-westerly wind will calm down. On Friday, the sun will shine from an almost cloudless sky on the Lower Austrian mountains. The high-altitude wind will blow only weakly from south-westerly directions. The temperature at 2000 metres will be around +4 degrees, at 1500 metres between +5 and +10 degrees.

The avalanche situation remains tense.