Totes Gebirge South

Caution urged towards fresh drifts at high altitudes. Wet loose-snow slides possible in steep terrain.

Caution urged towards fresh drifts at high altitudes. Wet loose-snow slides possible in steep terrain.

Avalanche over widespread areas is LOW, above 2000 m MODERATE. Avalanche prone locations are found mainly at high altitudes. In steep gullies and bowls on N/E/SW facing slopes and behind abrupt discontinuities in the terrain, fresh and small snowdrifts can be triggered by large additional loading, sometimes by minimum additional loading. On shady slopes, furthermore, weak layers in the old snow can be triggered by large additional loading. In extremely steep terrain where there is sufficient snow, isolated small wet slides and loose-snow avalanches can be triggered. On steep grass-covered slopes, the first glide cracks have been sighted - these are indicators of danger.

Snow depths are highly varied. Below 1500 m the snowpack is incohesive. Only at high altitudes is there an area-wide mostly stable snow cover fundament, isolated weak layers are still evident inside the snowpack. Above about 2000 m, fresh snowdrifts lie deposited atop the compact old snowpack. Below 2000 m, the snowpack is becoming increasingly wet. On steep grass-covered slopes the first glide-cracks have been sighted.

Saturday will be gray, particularly from Schladming Tauern to Gesäuse repeated rainfall is possible, snowfall above 1600-1800m. As of midday, clouds will disperse from the northeast. High-altitude winds will be brisk, stronger near ridgelines, from W/NW. At 2000 m: -2 degrees. Brilliantly sunny weather can be expected on Sunday in the mountains of Styria. In early morning there will still be high fog in some valleys of Upper Styria, these will rapidly disperse. Most of the day will enjoy cloudless skies. High-altitude winds will be feelable only in ridgeline terrain, from the west. At 2000 m: +5 degrees at midday.

As temperatures rise, avalanche danger levels will decrease.