Villach Alps

Caution: wet loose-snow avalanches. Runout zones should be circumvented.

Caution: wet loose-snow avalanches. Runout zones should be circumvented.

Naturally triggered activity of wet-snow avalanches will increase as rainfall sets in. In starting zones which have not yet discharged, small-to-medium wet loose-snow avalanches are possible. The runout zones should be circumvented, esp. on extremely steep slopes below 1800m in all aspects. Due to fresh snowfall and often strong-velocity winds from the south, trigger-sensitive snowdrift accumulations will be generated esp. on ridgeline slopes, in gullies and bowls above 1800m. Avalanches can in isolated cases fracture down to more deeply embedded layers inside the snowpack and sweep them along. Avalanche releases are often medium-sized, triggerable by one sole skier. Rainfall will lead to an increased wettening of the old snowpack below 1800m in all aspects. Caution in gullies along the Slovenian border.

Rainfall in all aspects will make the snowpack generally wetter below 1800m. Since Monday, especially along the Slovenian border, about 5-10 cm of fresh snow was registered above 1900m, locally more. Above 1800m 15-20cm of fresh snow is anticipated widespread. Winds will transport the fresh snow. Fresh snow and drifts will be deposited on shady slopes above 2000m atop an unfavorable old snowpack surface.

On Wednesday a Mediterranean low pressure front will bring gray skies. In early morning and later on, widespread rainfall and snowfall is expected, clouds will remain dense all day long, visibility will be poor. A moderate SW wind will be blowing, strong to stormy in exposed zones, windspeeds reaching 70 km/hr. At 2000m: 0 degrees; at 1000m: up to 6 degrees. Source: GeoSphere Austria

Rising avalanche danger