Mürztal Alps

Generally low danger but caution towards isolated snowdrift patches!

Generally low danger but caution towards isolated snowdrift patches!

Avalanche danger is generally low. In ridgeline terrain, behind discontinuities and in isolated cases also in wind-exposed zones below the timberline, some thin snowdrift patches have been generated which can trigger as a slab avalanche even by minimum additional loading.

Minor fresh snowfall from last weekend has been transported during the week by varying winds, depositing mostly small snowdrift accumulations, still poorly bonded with the surface. Potential weak layer: faceted layers and surface hoar atop a hardened melt-freeze encrusted layer. The old snowpack beneath it is compact, without marked weak layers.

Following a night of clear skies, Saturday will bring radiant sunny weather to the Styrian Alps. Cloudless skies, a few clouds will move in during the afternoon, winds initially brisk from the northwest, starting at midday on the northern and eastern rims increasingly stormy. Temperature at 2000 m: -3 in the Northern Alps and +1 degree south of Niedere Tauern.

Sunday will be mostly sunny and cold, with residual cloud on the northern flank of the Alps. In the morning still stormy, esp. in NE regions. Avalanche danger levels are not expected to change significantly.