Seetaler Alps

Increase in avalanche danger due to rainfall/snowfall

Increase in avalanche danger due to rainfall/snowfall

Avalanche danger will increase above the timberline from low to moderate. The danger stems from wet-snow avalanches on steep slopes due to rainfall. At higher altitudes, depending on wind impact, fresh snow and snowdrifts create the danger, particularly on steep slopes and directly behind protruberances in the landscape where in isolated cases small slab avalanches can be triggered. On steep grassy slopes, small glide-snow avalanches are possible, especially in areas where snowfall is heaviest.

The snowpack is marked by intermediate phases of higher temperatures and rainfall, thus, it is moist; at higher altitudes it is melt-freeze encrusted. The rainfall will make the snowpack moister/wetter, thereby de-stabilizing it. At higher altitudes, fresh snow and snowdrifts will be deposited over the course of the day. Faceted weak layers are prone to triggering, they are evident mostly near crusts in transitions to the old snowpack. In some places, in the transition to the snow-covered ground, a gliding layer has formed; particularly on steep grass-covered slopes the snowpack could quite naturally glide away.

A low over Italy is bringing instable conditions and gloomy mountain weather. Slopes and summits will be shrouded in heavy cloud all day long, visibility severely limited. Repeated bouts of light precipitation are possible starting in early morning, intensifying as the day unfolds. The snowfall level will lie at 1300-1500m in Northern Alps and Niedere Tauern in early morning. During the course of the day it will descend gradually to nearly 1000m. Winds in exposed terrain will be blowing at moderate to brisk strength from the west. Temperature at 2000m: -1 degree, dropping during the daytime hours. On Saturday, intensive snowfall all day long, down to low lying areas. Impressive amounts of fresh fallen snow are anticipated in the mountains. Poor visibility. Winds will be westerly, mostly moderate, intensifying later in the day. Temperatures will drop at all altitudes. At midday at 2000m: -6 degrees.

Significant increase in avalanche danger due to fresh snow and snowdrifts