Villach Alps

Significant rise in avalanche danger as snowfall intensifies

Significant rise in avalanche danger as snowfall intensifies

Due to fresh snowfall and strong-velocity SW winds, widespread snowdrift accumulations will be generated during the course of the day esp. in ridgeline terrain, in gullies and bowls. These can be easily triggered in all aspects, or else trigger naturally. Avalanches will be mostly medium-sized. We advise against winter sports in steep terrain.

Above 1800m, 50cm of fresh snow was registered, locally more. During the nighttime hours, above 1000m, another 10-20 cm of fresh snow is expected. Strong winds have intensively transported the fresh fallen snow. In the upper part of the snowpack esp. on shady wind-protected slopes there are weak soft layers evident. Shallow-snow shady slopes above 1800m: fresh snow and drifts will be deposited atop a weak old snowpack.

On Wednesday the summits will often be in the clear, sunshine will prevail, with only light cloud cover and good visibility. A moderate southerly wind will be blowing, windspeeds reaching 40 km(hr. At 1000m: +5 degrees at midday; at 2000m, -3 degrees. Source: GeoSphere Austria

Naturally triggered slab avalanches will decrease when the intensive snowfall comes to an end