Fischbach Alps East, Wechsel

Fresh drifts from stormy NW winds

Fresh drifts from stormy NW winds

Avalanche danger above 1400 m is moderate. Fresh drifts, particularly in N/E/S aspects constitute the danger zones. Prone to triggering snowdrift patches can trigger small slab avalanches by large additional loading. Also in forest lanes and open spaces at intermediate altitude, the avalanche prone locations should not be underestimated. Freshly formed cornices are instable.

As a result of fresh snow and stormy NW winds, the snowdrifts are the main danger on E/SE slopes and in leeward terrain. Weak layers: soft layers in the old snow and inside the fresh drifts. The snowpack is widely varied, windblown and hardened zones are immediately adjacent to deep snowdrift accumulations.

On Sunday night a cold front will bring precipitation and stormy NW winds. In early morning, snowfall throughout the Styrian mountains. In southern regions clouds will soon disperse. In the northern barrier cloud regions and Niedere Tauern, up to 50 cm of fresh snow is expected, in Totes Gebirge even more. The high-altitude winds will be blowing at storm strength form the northwest amid icy temperatures. At 2000 m: -10 degrees.

On Tuesday, mostly free of precipitation but heavily overcast, even foggy, amid ongoingly storm-strength NW winds and somewhat higher temperatures. The main problem persists: the snowdrift accumulations.