Fischbach Alps East, Wechsel

Generally low avalanche danger

Generally low avalanche danger

Low avalanche danger in general, but attentiveness urged towards snowdrift patches in landscape concavities which are poorly bonded with the snowbase beneath them, in these danger zones isolated small slab avalanches can be triggered. In shady terrain above the timberline there is a persistent weak layer. Slab avalanches cannot be ruled out. Caution urged towards the peril of falling on icy surfaces.

At high altitudes the surface is hardened and icy or wind-pressed, beneath that the fundament is compact and without avalanche-relevant weak layers. However, the process of expansive metamorphosis is continuing above 1500 m, the snowpack evidences increasingly frequently faceted crystals, is forfeiting its firmness and losing its hold.

Following the mild (and, at high altitudes, stormy) westerly air current on Christmas Eve, colder air masses will gradually seep in from the northeast on Christmas Day, the temperatures will recede only slightly to begin with. Amid moderate to brisk SW winds, heavy cloud cover will dominate. Temperatures at midday at 2000 m: +2 degrees; at 1500 m: +4 degrees. Boxing Day will divide its weather in two: clouds will continue to dominate everywhere, but along the Northern Alps and Tauern it will remain mild and minor precipitation (rain up to 1500 m) is anticipated. Near the rimline ranges, on the other hand, it will be measurably colder and snowfall can extend far lower.

Avalanche danger is expected to remain low.