Totes Gebirge South

Naturally triggered glide-snow avalanches in steep terrain and snowdrifts on east at high altitudes

Naturally triggered glide-snow avalanches in steep terrain and snowdrifts on east at high altitudes

Above 2000 m moderate avalanche danger, below that altitude danger is low. Isolated danger zones occur from trigger-prone snowdrift accumulations on N/E/S-facing slopes. In addition, on steep slopes in all aspects naturally triggered glide-snow avalanches reaching medium-size can trigger. Open glide cracks are indicators of imminent danger.

The snowpack base is stable by and large, only on shady slopes at high altitudes there are still reserves of cold. Since Monday on east and south-facing slopes, snowdrifts have accumulated, bonding is mostly good. On sunny slopes the snowpack isotherm and moist, on shady slopes there are still reserves of cold. In steep terrain on smooth ground the snowpack glides over the ground at high altitudes. An area-wide snowpack exists only above the treeline.

On Thursday a low over Upper Italy will send its harbingers in the form of cloudbanks to the mountains of Styria. Particularly the summits of the Gurktal Alps and Niedere Tauern will often be shrouded in clouds but it will probably remain dry, and some afternoon sunshine is possible. Brisk to strong SW winds, stormy near the Koralpe. At 2000 m: -1 degree at the Turrach and +4 degrees in Totes Gebirge.

On Friday the low over Italy will bring gray skies and wet weather, frequent rainfall/snowfall (heavy in western and southern Upper Styria). Snowfall level will drop in the Northern Alps to below 1000 m, south of the Main Alpine Ridge it will lie at 1300 m. At high altitudes, a snowdrift problem will be generated, avalanche danger levels will increase.