Mürzsteg Alps

Low avalanche danger - small trigger-prone snowdrift accumulations

Low avalanche danger - small trigger-prone snowdrift accumulations

Avalanche danger is low, but avalanches cannot be excluded. Fresh snowdrift patches which have been deposited in extended SE facing terrain esp. behind discontinuities and in entries to gullies and bowls, can be triggered by 1 person. In addition, small glide-snow avalanches are possible in all aspects in steep zones which have not yet discharged.

The fundament is isotherm up to high altitudes, is often losing its attachment to the ground. Near-surface esp. south-facing layers were moist and wet prior to precipitation, atop of this the fresh drifts were deposited, esp. on E/S facing slopes, bonding wll with the soft old snow. But bonding of fresh drifts on high altitude shady slopes is poor. In addition, weak layers inside the drifts exist, such as graupel or fresh snow crystals.

On Palm Sunday, variably cloudy skies, instable conditions with some sunshine. At midday some snow or graupel showers. Cold, the snowfall level will rise from 700 to 1000 m during the daytime. Visibility reduced. The NW winds will start moderate, become brisker. At 2000 m: -6 degrees; at 1500 m: -4 degrees.

On Monday, improving weather, sunshine in the morning, the precipitation will end, temperatures rise from -8 degrees in the morning to +2 degrees in the afternoon at 2000 m. The freshly generated snowdrifts will gradually settle and danger levels recede.