Koralpe East

Moderate danger of slab avalanches at high altitudes. Beware fresh snowdrift accumulations.

Moderate danger of slab avalanches at high altitudes. Beware fresh snowdrift accumulations.

Large amounts of fresh fallen snow and storm winds are leading to massive snowdrift accumulations which are easily triggered, esp. in N/E/S aspects above 1600 m. Unfavourable: entries into gullies and bowls, behind protruberances in the terrain. Slab avalanches can trigger even from the weight of 1 persons, mostlyly small-to-medium size. Glide-snow avalanches can still release at any time of day in all aspects on very steep wooded or leafy slopes and on smooth rocky slopes.

Some fresh snowfall and stormy winds are leading to small snowdrift accumulations down to forest clearances. Weak layers are forming inside the bonded snow (soft deposits). The snowpack base is moist/wet up to intermediate altitudes, leading to a gliding snow problem

As a consequence of the stormy NW air current, instable air masses are moving into the northern flank of the Alps. Strong storm winds from the NW are blowing, including even stronger gusts in exposed terrain. Snowfall in northern Upper Styria is heavy, by Friday night up to 100 cm of fresh snow is possible. Also in Niedere Tauern, frequent snowfall will be heavy, up to 60 cm of fresh snow is possible in high alpine regions. On the southern flank of the Alps, less fresh snow is anticipated, up to 40 cm is expected from Gurktal Alps to Gleinalm, depending on how much the snowfall extends over the Alps; less in the eastern rimline ranges. Snowfall level will fluctuate in the eastern part of the Northern Alps between the valley floor and 1000 m, towards Turrach and Seetal Alps at 1000-1300 m. Less snowfall is expected along the Styrian rimline ranges, particularly in Koralpe. At 2000 m: -6 degrees; on the southern flank of the Alps, -3 degrees.

On Friday night and during the daytime hours on Saturday, ongoingly storm-strength (plus gusts) NW winds. Snowfall level at 1000-1300 m. Avalanche danger will increase somewhat.