Steinernes Meer, Hochkönig, Hagen Mountains, Göll massif

High altitudes: fresh snowdrift masses. Intermediate altitudes: wet-snow + glide-snow slides.

High altitudes: fresh snowdrift masses. Intermediate altitudes: wet-snow + glide-snow slides.

Avalanche danger is MODERATE. Due to strong westerly winds, fresh snowdrift accumulations are being generated, often deposited atop a melt-freeze crust. They are easily triggered, but remain small-sized. Mild temperatures continue to create, through rainfall, small wet loose-snow avalanches in extremely steep terrain or hillsides below 2000 m. In addition, glide snow avalanches on steep grassy slopes are possible in all aspects. Due to the shallow snow, the releases remain small.

The snowpack is quite irregular over widespread areas, and is still shallow - has even receded due to the higher temperatures. In high alpine shady terrain the snowpack layering is often unfavourable due to a sequence of melt-freeze crusts and faceted crystals inside the snowpack fundament in, in isolated cases, surface hoar which has been blanketed by fresh snowfall. This applies particularly to relatively wind-protected zones. The freshly generated snowdrifts from Friday were often deposited on top of a melt-freeze crust. Due to the mild temperatures the snowpack is wet up to intermediate altitudes (1000-2000m). The snow is thereby forfeiting is firmness and is in valley-ward motion on extremely steep slopes in the form of small loose-snow avalanches.

Friday: heavy clouds all day long, poor visibility, strong westerly winds. The snowfall level will ascend to 2000 m during the daytime. At 2000 m: 0 degrees; at 3000 m: between -5 and -3 degrees. Saturday: heavy clouds and rainfall/snowfall (snowfall level somewhat lower: at 1500 m). During the afternoon, clouds will disperse somewhat, drier weather will arrive. At 2000 m: -1 to +1 degree; at 3000 m: -7 or -6 degrees.

No significant change is anticipated.