Fischbach Alps East, Wechsel

Caution: isolated naturally triggered glide-snow avalanches. Fresh high-altitude snowdrifts.

Caution: isolated naturally triggered glide-snow avalanches. Fresh high-altitude snowdrifts.

Above 1700 m avalanche danger is moderate. Based on open glide cracks, glide-snow avalanches cannot be excluded. Danger zones occur on steep grass-covered slopes, hillsides and in forest clearances. Glide cracks are indicators of potential danger, they should be circumvented. Acute danger of falling on steep icy slopes (now blanketed by fresh snow).

Snow distribution is highly diverse. Whereas northwest-facing and wind-exposed slopes are often completely bare of snow, wind-loaded slopes and gullies are filled to the brim. The snowpack is compact and without marked weak layers. B elow 2000 m it is nearly isotherrm, almost zero degrees, and wet at ground level. The snowpack glides downhill over smooth ground. The surface below 2200 m is filled with rain seepage channels, highly unpleasant for skiers; at high altitudes it is frozen and capable of bearing loads. Fresh snow (10-15 cm). Brisk winds plus some fresh snow will form small, thin drifts, bonding to the encrusted old snowpack is poor.

On New Year’s Day clouds will slowly disperse and snow showers taper off. Colder than recently. At 2000 m: -5 degrees; at 1500 m. -1 degree. The W/NW winds will often be stormy, esp. in northern Upper Styria. On 2nd January an Atlantic front will bring lots of clouds during the night, esp. to northern Upper Styria. Moderate westerly winds will bring slightly higher temperatures, still just as cold south of the Alps.

Avalanche danger levels are not expected to change significantly.