Mürzsteg Alps

Moderate avalanche danger above the treeline - snowdrift is prone to triggering!

Moderate avalanche danger above the treeline - snowdrift is prone to triggering!

The avalanche is above the treeline moderate and below that low. Snowdrift accumulations are forming danger spots which are increasing with height. They are found in gullies and bowls especially in the expositions west via east till south. They can be triggered by small additional loads as slab avalanches.

Fresh snowdrift accumulations are placed on top of an old snow cover with which it is often sufficiently bonded or on bare soil. Soft layers within the fresh cover or in shady slopes within the old snow near the surface can function as weak layers. On Sunday around 20 cm new snow is called which will form - due to strong wind influence - unevenly amounts of snowdrift accumulations. In places rain respectively wetness from the ground leads to a loss of moisture within the snowcover.

The pressure system is passing through in direction of the Mediterranean on Sunday. A significant northern stream will cause better weather in the south but the northern side of the Alps stays cloudy. During the course of the some clearing period are expected but in the evening precipitation is forecasted. From the Styrisn foothills to Mürzsteger Alps 20 cm new snow with a snowline of 1.500 m is expected. Brisk to stormy (in summit areas) northwesterly winds. Temperatures in 2.000 m at noon are around -3 degrees.

On Monday the temperatures will fall and the snowline will be around 900 m. Precipitation, predominantly in Nordstau areas are dominating. Partially stormy northern winds. Snowdrift problem is increasing due to higher amounts of new snow!