Wölz Tauern South

Local danger zones at high altitudes due to snowdrifts

Local danger zones at high altitudes due to snowdrifts

Avalanche prone locations still prevail at high altitudes due to older snowdrifts which were generated at the beginning of the week. In steep terrain slab avalanches can be triggered particularly by large additional loading, in some cases by point-on low additional loading. Steep wind-loaded zones near to and far from ridgelines require particular caution. The frequency of avalanche prone locations tends to increase with ascending altitude. Another danger: steep-slope glide-snow avalanches of small-to-medium size. They can trigger naturally on steep grassy slopes.

As a result of fresh snow and strong-to-storm strength winds at the beginning of the week, instable snowdrift accumulations were generated. The mild temperatures will followed, particularly on Wednesday, led to a settling of the snowpack. Thereby, the frequency of danger zones diminished somewhat. The snowpack above the timberline is heavily wind-impacted. At intermediate altitudes the snowpack is approximately 50 cm deep, at high altitudes about 70 cm. On wind-influenced leeward slopes and in wind-loaded gullies and bowls there is more snow. As a result of the striking drop in temperatures, the snowpack surface is consolidating.

On Friday the sun will slowly gain predominance after final snow showers recede in northern regions. However, it will remain palpably cold, midday temperatures at 2000 m will be -12 degrees, at 1500 m -8 degrees. Moderately strong winds from westerly to northwesterly directions will be blowing. On Saturday, heavy cloud cover will dominate, a bit of snowfall is possible in the mountain massifs of Upper Styria to start with. As a warm front comes closer, the tendency towards precipitation will increase in northern regions in particular. As the temperature ascends to +1 degree at 2000 m, the snowfall level will also ascend to 1300 m.

The danger of slab avalanches will gradually diminish.