Fischbach Alps East, Wechsel

Fresh drifts at high altitudes

Fresh drifts at high altitudes

Avalanche danger above the treeline is moderate. Main problem in backcountry touring zones: snowdrifts, esp. on E/S facing slopes. Danger zones occur in ridgeline terrain and behind discontinuities, in gullies and bowls. A slab can trigger from 1 person, usually size 2 releases unfold. In high-altitude zones which have not yet discharged, isolated glide-snow avalanches are still possible. Open glide cracks are indicators of potential danger, avoid them.

At the start of this period of precipitation the snow fell with little wind. On Sunday the fresh snow and drifts blanketed the soft fresh snow which fell on Saturday. In the Gurktal and Seetal Alps, up to 20 cm, in Niedere Tauern up to 15 cm of fresh snow was registered. In the northern Wölzer Tauern and Rottenmanner Tauern the snow fell with little wind, in the southern Niedere Tauern and Gurktal and Seetal Alps the winds were stronger. Bonding is poor, but the old snowpack is compact and without marked weak layers (topped by a thick crust capable of bearing loads). Only on very steep shady slopes, faceted crystals beneath the crust are weakening the snowpack.

Due to brisk northerly winds (in the east, gusty, stormy, bitter cold), the summits are disappearing in fog and clouds. Light snow showers will pass through, esp. in northern Upper Styria, elsewhere little precipitation is anticipated (except in the rimline ranges). At 2000 m: -13 degrees. The northerly winds make it feel even colder.

On Tuesday, heavy cloud moving into southern Styria from the east, shrouding the peaks, with a bit of snowfall along the western rimline mountain ranges. In the north, sunny and cold weather, brisk winds, slightly receding avalanche danger.