Kreuzeck Group

Beware snowdrifts

Since Monday above 2000m, 2-5 cm of fresh snowfall has been registered, locally more. Widespread 10-15 cm of fresh snow is anticipated. Winds will transport the fresh snow and some of the old snow. Fresh snow and drifts will be deposited on shady slopes above 200m atop an unfavorable old snowpack surface. In the lowermost part of the snowpack on shady slopes, faceted weak layers are evident. Below 2200m: nocturnal outgoing longwave radiation is heavily reduced. The snowpack surface softens up during the course of the day.

On Wednesday a Mediterranean low pressure front will bring gray skies. In early morning and later on, widespread rainfall and snowfall is expected, clouds will remain dense all day long, visibility will be poor. A moderate SW wind will be blowing, strong to stormy in exposed zones, windspeeds reaching 70 km/hr. At 2000m: 0 degrees; at 1000m: up to 6 degrees; at 3000m: -7 degrees. Source: GeoSphere Austria

Increasing avalanche danger

Beware snowdrifts

Due to fresh snow and moderate-velocity southerly winds, trigger-sensitive snowdrift accumulations have been generated esp. in ridgeline terrain, in gullies and bowls, esp. above 2400m. Avalanches can be triggered by persons in the uppermost layers. In addition, isolated avalanches can fracture down to deeper layers of the snowpack and then grow to medium size. In starting zones which have not yet discharged, mostly small wet loose snow avalanches are possible, and can be triggered by winter sports enthusiasts. Caution urged in extremely steep slopes below 2000m. In addition, in the major areas of precipitation, isolated mostly small glide-snow avalanches are possible.