Fischbach Alps East, Wechsel

Fresh snowdrift patches will be generated by stormy winds

Fresh snowdrift patches will be generated by stormy winds

From Koralpe to Wechsel region, low avalanche danger prevails. Nevertheless at high altitudes those zones deserve high attentiveness which have had fresh snow and newly generated snowdrifts over the last week. The snowdrift patches can trigger a small slab avalanche in isolated cases.

Between Koralpe and Wechsel region the snowfall until now has been minor. Some new snow was registered last week in the Fischbacher and Mürztaler Alps, and the Gleinalpe. Due to permanently strong winds, plateaus were windblown and some snowdrift patches were generated which now cover softer layers or surface hoar. The snowpack is currently melt-freeze encrusted and hard.

This evening a cold front will reach Styria. In Northern Alps from Dachstein to Hochschwab, snowfall amid low lying clouds overnight and on Friday all day long, tapering off in the afternoon. Up to 40 cm of fresh snow can be expected in the mountains. Somewhat less in secondary northern barrier cloud zones of Niedere Tauern and further snow (only short snow showers), since the northerly foehn wind will disperse the clouds somewhat. Winds from northwest will reach gale strength in high alpine regions. Temperatures will drop measurably. At midday at 2000 m: -10 degrees; at 1500 m: -6 degrees.

Also on Saturday on the northern flank of the Alps, cloud and stormy winds. A warm front will bring minor precipitation, the snowfall level will ascend to above 1000 m. The south will have better conditions, being on the lee side of the weather front. The avalanche situation is not expected to change significantly.