Fischbach Alps East, Wechsel

Avalanche danger generally low, but caution urged towards small snowdrifts and danger of falling on icy surface

Avalanche danger generally low, but caution urged towards small snowdrifts and danger of falling on icy surface

The fundament is stable on high altitude slopes, the snowpack surface consists of a thick melt-freeze crust. Shallow snowdrifts appear from place to place, poorly bonded with the snow base. Avalanche prone locations are located at entries to extremely steep gullies and bowls where isolated slab avalanches can be triggered. Caution urged towards the perils of falling on the icy surfaces.

At low altitudes the snowpack is moist and, depending on altitude, covered with a melt-freeze crusts which is often capable of bearing loads. At high altitudes the surface is iced over. During Friday night surface hoar formed in some places, now blanketed by shallow snowdrifts. The fundament is compact by and large, and without weak layers. In cavities there are often shallow drifts which are poorly bonded with the snow base.

Sunday will be mostly sunny, but in northeastern regions the fog could extend up to 1500 m. Winds will intensify, blow at storm strength from the northwest. Highest wind speeds will be in eastern mountain regions of Styria (over 90 km/hr). Temperature at 2000 m at midday: 0 degrees, descending by evening to -4 degrees. On Sunday night a cold front will pass through, bringing a bit of new snow to the eastern part of the northern barrier cloud regions.

Fresh snowdrift accumulations will increase avalanche danger slightly.