Totes Gebirge South

The main problem is fresh snowdrift. In higher altitudes persistent weak layers in some areas.

The main problem is fresh snowdrift. In higher altitudes persistent weak layers in some areas.

The avalanche danger is slightly increasing and on moderate level above the treeline. New danger spots forme due to snowdrift accumulations especially in the extended expositions north and east prone to triggering. The higher the altitude the higher the amount of danger spots. In very steep, shady and high slopes slab avalanches within the old snow can be triggered by small additional loads. These can reach medium sizes. Especially on transitions between thin and thicker snow covers spontaneous gliding snow avalanches are possible. Avoid areas below glide cracks.

Thursday new snow will land with strong wind influences. This snowdrift (bonded) accumulates on a loose snow layer in shady slopes. This layer is built by kinetic metamorphism (faceting) - in sheltered locations also by surface hoar - and is a potentially breakable crust for slab avalanches. In shady high altitudes the snow cover is weakened by layers of faceted crystals and -in some areas- snown in Graupel within the old snow. On smooth surfaces the snow cover can start gliding anytime.

Thursday night a cold front coming from northwest moves in. Little snow falls. In the area of Totes Gebirge around 20 cm new snow in the Nordstau, Dachstein and the westerly Schladminger Tauern regions 10 cm new snow is expected. During the course of the day dense clouds are gathering coming from north between Dachstein and Hochschwab. In some areas it’s snowing a bit. Apart of that area the coldfront leaves southeast bound and the clouds are clearing.vivid northwesterly winds can get stronger in exposed summit areas. The temperatures drop and will be around -11 degrees at noon in 2.000 m. In 1.500 it will be -7 degrees.

Danger of slab avalanches (wind slab problem). Small spontaneous loose-snow avalanches coming from steep terrain are possible due to radiation.