Fischbach Alps East, Wechsel

Snowdrift accumulations on east and north-facing slopes

Snowdrift accumulations on east and north-facing slopes

Avalanche danger above the treeline is moderate. Avalanche prone locations occur on NW/N/NE facing slopes more than anywhere else. Fresh snowdrift accumulations have been generated, can be triggered even by the weight of one single person. Special caution is urged at entry points into gullies and bowls (shallow to deep snow).

The huge amounts of snowdrifted masses from the last few days have been able to settle. More deeply embedded inside the snowpack are layers of faceted crystals and melt-freeze crusts which weaken the entire snowpack. On steep south-facing slopes a melt-freeze crust has formed. On Wednesday afternoon, southerly winds transported the snow to northwest-facing slopes. On Friday, strong westerly winds loaded east-facing slopes with drifts. The drifts are deposited atop a layer with surface hoar. Bonding between fresh drifts and the old snowpack is insufficient.

On Saturday the warmth will be palpable. Summits will sometimes be shrouded in heavy cloud, occasional unhampered sunshine. Rainfall or snowfall is not expected before evening. Winds will be brisk to strong from the northwest, moderate in the rimline ranges. At 2000 m: -2 degrees at midday on the Dachstein, +1 degree on Koralpe.

Instable weather on Sunday, the summits often veiled in fog, north of the Main Alpine Ridge some light snowfall. Further south it will remain largely dry, but with brisk to strong NW winds reaching speeds over 60 km/hr.