Weisseck, Muhr Valley

Fresh, prone to triggering wind slab snow, persistent weak layer problem in the higher elevations

Fresh, prone to triggering wind slab snow, persistent weak layer problem in the higher elevations

The avalanche risk is considerable from the sparse high forest upwards and low below. The fresh wind slab is prone to triggering and can be triggered in many places with little additional load; slab avalanches can reach medium size. All aspects and both adjacent to ridgelines and steep terrain far from ridgelines are affected. Drift snow areas are partly covered with snow and are difficult to recognise.

At high altitudes (especially on western, northern and eastern slopes), avalanches can also penetrate the persistent weak layer and occasionally become large if there is a large additional load. Be careful at transitions from lots of snow to little snow.

In windless areas, there is 20 to 40 cm of new fallen snow from the last two days, depending on the area, while exposed places are heavily blown and snowdrift accumulations are correspondingly thick. Underneath is settled wind slab snow from the last week. This came to rest on an old snowpack, which is interspersed with faceted crystals and deep rime (also in combination with crusts) both in the transition area and deeper inside. This weakens the structure down to ground level. Although fractures are still possible here, they are most likely to occur within the fresh snow packs.

During the night, a maximum of 10 cm of new fallen snow will fall in windy and cold weather on the northern slopes of the mountains. Tomorrow, Wednesday, visibility will often be limited by dense clouds and a few light snow showers will pass through during the day. Winds from the north will be weak to moderately strong, brisk at higher altitudes in the Tauern mountains with gusts of around 50 km/h. The temperature at 2000 metres will be between -9 and -6 degrees, at 3000 metres between -15 and -10 degrees.

Mixed weather with some snowfall and wind leads to a slow reduction in avalanche danger.