Fischbach Alps East, Wechsel

Considerable avalanche danger at high altitudes due to fresh snow and snowdrifts. Also: beware glide-snow activity.

Considerable avalanche danger at high altitudes due to fresh snow and snowdrifts. Also: beware glide-snow activity.

At high altitudes, considerable avalanche danger prevails due to fresh snowdrift accumulations. Danger zones occur above the treeline over far-reaching areas on E/S facing slopes. On wind-loaded slopes and, in particular, behind protruberances in the terrain and at entry points into gullies and bowls, slab avalanches can be triggered even by minimum additional loading (one person). On extremely steep south-facing slopes, naturally triggered loose-snow avalanches can be expected. On smooth grassy slopes, naturally triggered glide-snow avalanches can be expected. Zones below glide-cracks should be circumvented.

The snowpack fundament is wet up to high altitudes. On top of this up to 35 cm of fresh snow fell on Saturday, with little wind to start with, later on with strong-sto-storm NW winds, subsequently transporting the fresh snow to leeward slopes. Weak layers inside the fresh snow, in transitions to old snow, and inside the old snowpack pose threats (loose unbonded snow).

Sunday will begin with strong velocity NW winds. Temperatures at 2000 m will be -10 to -12 degrees (but feel colder due to wind). Winds will still be strong from the northwest, particularly in the morning hours, but later on slacken off somewhat. In the western regions of Styria winds will generally be lighter.

On Monday, a warm front will bring compact cloud cover and higher temperatures to the mountains of Styria. Avalanche danger levels will recede gradually.