Fischbach Alps East, Wechsel

Fresh snowdrift patches will be generated by stormy winds

Fresh snowdrift patches will be generated by stormy winds

From Koralpe to Wechsel region, low avalanche danger prevails. Nevertheless at high altitudes those zones deserve high attentiveness which have had fresh snow and newly generated snowdrifts over the last week. The snowdrift patches can trigger a small slab avalanche in isolated cases.

Between Koralpe and Wechsel region the snowfall until now has been minor. Some new snow was registered last week in the Fischbacher and Mürztaler Alps, and the Gleinalpe. Due to permanently strong winds, plateaus were windblown and some snowdrift patches were generated which now cover softer layers or surface hoar. The snowpack is currently melt-freeze encrusted and hard.

The Eastern Alps lie in the grip of a NW air current. After the warm front on Saturday moved on, bringing only minor precipitation on the northern flank of the Alps, on Sunday a cold front will bring minor precipitation along the Northern Alps and Niedere Tauern. The snowfall level will descend from 1000 m in the morning down to 600 m. Low lying clouds will disperse at midday from the west (most persistent in Hochschwab and eastwards) . Winds will be at the forefront, reaching gale strength in high alpine regions. The south has favorable conditions: short showers can pass through, but sunshine will dominate. Temperatures at midday in northern regions: -7 degrees at 2000 m; -3 degrees at 1500 m; south of the Tauern and in the rimline ranges, -4 to 0 degrees.

Following a brief intermediate high, the next cold front will reach Upper Styria on Monday. It will bring precipitation to the northern barrier cloud regions and stormy winds, lasting till mid-week. On the southern flank of the Alps only minor precipitation, but storm-strength winds will make their presence felt. Due to the minor amounts of transported snow, avalanche danger remains unchanged.