Totes Gebirge South

Beware trigger-prone snowdrift accumulations

Beware trigger-prone snowdrift accumulations

Avalanche danger is considerable above 1800 m, below that altitude danger is low. Fresh trigger-prone snowdrifts are the main danger. Danger zones occur on N/E/SW facing slopes at entries to steep gullies and bowls and in general behind discontinuities in the terrain where fresh snowdrifts can trigger a medium slab avalanche by 1 person down to the treeline, releases up to medium size. Frequency and size of danger zones increase with ascending altitude. In case of sunny intervals, small loose-snow avalanches can trigger naturally in extremely steep terrain. In places, loose-snow avalanches can be triggered by 1 person.

The fresh snow (70-100 cm) of the last few days lies deposited atop a compact snowpack base. The old snow is thoroughly moist, but was able to consolidate due to the lower temperatures in recent days. The fresh snow is well bonded with the old snowpack. Further snowfall plus brisk W/NW winds will generate fresh small snowdrift accumulations, bonding to the loose fresh fallen snow will be poor, bringing a weak layer for slab avalanches. Solar radiation will help the fresh fallen snow to settle.

Gray skies in the northern barrier clouds regions on Sunday, minor snowfall compared to the last few days. Further south, sunny intervals, brisk-to-strong N/NW winds, also snow showers as an exception. Winds will slacken off. At 2000 m: -8 degrees.

It will remain cool, but mostly dry except along the northern flank of the Alps. Avalanche danger levels will recede.