Steinernes Meer, Hochkönig, Hagen Mountains, Göll massif

On shady slopes isolated danger zones due to weak layers in old snow.

On shady slopes isolated danger zones due to weak layers in old snow.

Avalanche danger as of 2400m is moderate, danger is low below that altitude. On shady slopes at high and high-alpine altitudes, small-to-medium slab avalanches can be treiggered in the old snow. Slab avalanches can be triggered in steep terrain particularly by large additional loading. On extremely steep grass-covered slopes, isolated small-sized glide-snow avalanches can trigger naturally. Zones beneath glide cracks should be circumvented.

Older snowdrift accumulations lie deposited atop soft layers at high and high alpine altitudes, beneath which are often layers of faceted crystals. The snow is distributed irregularly, ridges are often totally windblown, and the fresh fallen snow does not cover the snow base sufficiently everywhere. The entire snowpack could start to glide over smooth ground.

After midnight clouds will move in but bring next to no precipitation. Temperatures will drop. On Saturday, clouds will become dense, minor snowfall is anticipated. Westerly to northwesterly winds will intensify, gusts reaching 50 km/hr in exposed terrain during the afternoon. At 2000m, temperatures will descend to -6 degrees; at 3000m, to -13 degrees centigrade. On Saturday night, moderately strong snowfall will spread far-reachingly, by Sunday morning 5-15 cm of fresh fallen snow is expected.

As a result of fresh snowfall and wind impact, the danger from freshly generated snowdrifts will increase somewhat on Sunday.