Villach Alps

Evaluate snowdrift accumulations on shady slopes with great caution

Evaluate snowdrift accumulations on shady slopes with great caution

Due to moderate to strong velocity winds, trigger-sensitive snowdrift accumulations have been generated over the last few days, particularly on shady slopes above 1800m: easily triggered by one single skier. Gullies and bowls are unfavorable, since weak layers are evident inside the old snow. Avalanches are sometimes medium-sized. Frequency and magnitude tend to increase with ascending altitude. Apart from the risk of being buried in snow masses, you also need to take the dangers of being swept along and forced to take a fall into consideration.

Snowdrift accumulations cover a weak old snowpack surface on shady slopes above 1800m. The old snowpack is weak, with faceted crystals. It is highly irregular even over small areas. At all altitudes, there is too little snow on the ground for this juncture of the season, regionally too little snow for winter sports.

High-pressure conditions will prevail, leading to radiantly sunny weather in the mountains. Outstanding visibility, winds still moderate, temperatures rising in the mountains. At 2000m: at midday +1 degree; at 1000m: +5 degrees.

Avalanche danger levels are not expected to change significantly.