Fischbach Alps East, Wechsel

Generally low danger but caution urged towards naturally triggered glide-snow avalanches

Generally low danger but caution urged towards naturally triggered glide-snow avalanches

Avalanche danger is generally low, but pay close heed to small, naturally triggered wet-snow and glide-snow slides esp on south-facing slopes during the course of the day. Danger zones occur on very steep grass-covered slopes, hillsides and in forest clearances. Open glide cracks are indicators of danger, avoid zones below them.

Very irregular snow distribution. Whereas NW-facing slopes and exposed zones are often bare of snow, grass-covered wind-loaded slopes and gullies are filled to the brim. The snowpack is compact, without marked weak layers. The snowpack below 2000 m is nearly isotherm, the ground is often wet. The snowpack is gliding downhill over smooth ground. The surface at high altitudes is frozen, capable of bearing loads, but softens during the course of the day, at least on sunny slopes.

The weekend of New Year’s Eve will start out cooler, but still too mild for the season. At 2000 m: -3 degrees. Along the northern and eastern rims of the Alps, initially strong westerly winds, slackening off later in the day. Sunny by and large, but with residual clouds, In Niedere Tauern and southwards only moderate NW winds, milder and mostly sunny.

On New Year’s Eve it will be warmer, the airstream will shift to southwesterly. Clouds will move in during the course of the day, stormy SW winds will arise in the southern and eastern mountain ranges. Avalanche danger will remain low.