Dachstein, Gosaukamm

Caution! Snowfall, rain in places, poor visibility and easily triggered wind slab!

Caution! Snowfall, rain in places, poor visibility and easily triggered wind slab!

The avalanche risk is still considerable above the tree line and moderate in places below. Above the tree line, there are packs of drifting snow prone to triggering in all aspects. New fallen snow and wind are adding fresh wind slabs. There are avalanche prone locations in steep terrain, especially adjacent to ridgelines, partly distant from ridgelines, at terrain transitions and in transition areas from more to less snow. Medium-sized slab avalanches can be triggered by even a small additional load. There are also individual avalanche prone locations that are difficult to recognise due to the persistent weak layer problem in northern to eastern steep slopes. This means that slab avalanches can also tear through this weak layer (persistent weak layer problem). Steep terrain should be avoided. Spontaneous slab avalanches are also possible. Where there is sufficient snow below the snowfall level, wet loose snow avalanches are possible from extremely steep terrain.

In the past few days, there has been repeated new fallen snow and strong to sometimes stormy winds from different directions. As a result, prone-to-triggering drift snow packs have formed. These packs contain weak layers, such as thin crusts, do not bond sufficiently with the old snowpack and lie on a weak snow base, fundament. At higher elevations, faceted crystals close to the ground, some of which are floating snow, are largely unchanged on the north and on shady slopes and are embedded in the old snowpack.

It will rain and snow from dense clouds on Saturday, with the snowfall level rising to around 1000 metres above sea level during the day. Up to 15 cm of new fallen snow is expected. In open areas, the westerly wind will reach speeds of 40 to 60 km/h. At midday it will be -2 degrees at 1500 metres and -4 degrees at 2000 metres. Sunday will be mild but still unsettled. Clouds will predominate and it will snow at times. The snowfall level will continue to rise and reach 1500 - 1800 metres. The sun will only rarely shine through. The wind from the west will be moderate to strong. At 1500 m at noon 3 degrees, at 2000 m 0 degrees.

The avalanche situation remains tense.