Fischbach Alps East, Wechsel

Caution urged towards isolated high altitude snowdrift accumulations

Caution urged towards isolated high altitude snowdrift accumulations

Avalanche danger is low. Particularly above the timberline, isolated avalanche prone locations in the form of thin snowdrift accumulations occur, particularly at the entry points into steep gullies and right behind protruberances in the landscape, where small slab avalanches can be triggered.

Prior to the onset of winter last Friday, there was a cohesive area-wide snow cover only above about 1500m. This fundament now bears the stamp of several warm phases and some rainfall, thus, at intermediate altitudes it is moist, at high altitudes melt-freeze encrusted or riddled with such crusts. Atop this fundament there has been a small amount of fresh fallen snow deposited, accompanied by storm-strength NW winds, which has led to some shallow snowdrift patches being generated. In transitions to the old snowpack, weak layers are possible.

As a result of a SW high altitude air current, it will turn noticeably milder on Thursday than it has been in recent days (even though temperatures will remain below zero). A warm front will bring some snowfall to the region between Soboth and Gleinalpe and also along the rimline ranges. The snowfall level will ascend incrementally during the daytime, by evening it will lie at 2000m. Large amounts of precipitation are not anticipated. Winds in exposed terrain will often be strong, elsewhere moderate, from the southwest. At 2000 m: -3 degrees at midday. As the weekend approaches, weather conditions will become more turbulent. On Friday afternooon and Friday night, a low over Italy plus a cold front will bring some precipitation to widespread regions. The snowfall level will gradually descend down to low lying areas.

With the fresh snowfall/rainfall plus winds, avalanche danger levels will increase.