Ybbstaler Alpen

Pay attention to fresh, prone to triggering wind slab.

Pay attention to fresh, prone to triggering wind slab.

Above the tree line there is a moderate avalanche risk (level 2). Soft new fallen snow is transported by strong westerly to north-westerly winds and fresh snowdrift accumulations form, especially in the north, east and south aspects, adjacent to ridgelines and in steep gullies and bowls. These can be triggered by individual winter sports enthusiasts as slab avalanches, especially in the transition from a little to a lot of snow. There is still a persistent weak layer problem on shady slopes at high altitudes. Avalanches can occasionally tear through angular weak layers and reach medium size.

Above around 1000 m, another 10 to 25 cm of new fallen snow will fall, which will be transported by strong north-westerly winds. Fresh drift snow packs are lying on decomposed snow or older drift snow layers and are prone to triggering in places. Underneath, the old snowpack is unfavourably structured in places with crusts and faceted crystals. There are weak layers both at the transitions to the wind slab and within the old snowpack.

A cold front will reach the region from the north-west during the night, bringing new fallen snow to the Ybbstal Alps. On Tuesday, clouds will accumulate from the north-west and it will snow steadily during the day. In the congested areas of the Ybbstal Alps, it may snow heavily and for longer periods. In total, around 10 cm will accumulate below 1000 m, and up to 25 cm in accumulation areas. The temperature at an altitude of 2000 metres is between -9 and -5 degrees. The temperature at an altitude of 1500 metres is around -4 degrees. Strong to gale-force winds with gusts of 60 to 100 km/h from the northwest in exposed areas. The snowfall level will be in the valleys.

The avalanche risk remains moderate in the Ybbstal Alps above the tree line. It will continue to snow in places during the night into Wednesday. The precipitation will gradually subside on Wednesday morning. There will be no precipitation in the afternoon.