Fischbach Alps East, Wechsel

Low avalanche danger, but caution urged towards high-altitude snowdrift patches

Low avalanche danger, but caution urged towards high-altitude snowdrift patches

Avalanche danger is low. Nevertheless isolated danger zones in the form of freshly generated small snowdrift accumulations occur at high altitudes. Particularly on east and south-facing slopes in extremely steep terrain and entry zones, a slab avalanche cannot be ruled out. Releases will be small, the danger of taking a fall outweighs that of being buried in snow.

At high altitudes, depending on aspect and landscape, older snowdrift mases or loose snow atop a melt-freeze encrusted snowpack fundament, lie deposited (weak layer: surface hoar and/or loose fresh snow). In between them in many places are weak layers of faceted crystals (“cold on warm”). The snowpack fundament has already been fully moistened up to 2200 m, is currently stable. Only at high altitudes on shady slopes are there still more deeply embedded weak layers.

Holy Saturday will have instable mountain weather throughout Styria, the peaks often shrouded in clouds, reduced visibility, snowfall level at 1000 m, and intermittent snowfall. Winds will be moderate to brisk from the northwest. On Easter Sunday the instable weather conditions will continue, temperatures will drop slightly, minor snowfall is again expected.

Avalanche danger is not expected to change, the snowdrift problem will persist.