Weisseck, Muhr Valley

Fresh wind slab due to south foehn

Fresh wind slab due to south foehn

The risk of avalanches increases rapidly with altitude from around 1800 metres and is considerable above 2000 metres. Slab avalanches can be triggered in some places by small additional loads and can reach medium size. Avalanche prone locations are concentrated in the north-west, north to east facing steep terrain, but also in the southern sector, behind terrain edges and in gullies and bowls. They increase rapidly in size and frequency with altitude. The wind slabs are often located directly next to blown-off areas, are easily recognisable and should be avoided at all costs. Cracks and whumpfing collapsing sounds when walking on the snow cover, snowpack are a sign of danger.

Under the influence of mild air and sunlight, the snow cover, snowpack has settled and become cardboardy up to around 2000 metres. It has at least a thin melt-freeze crust in the morning. Fresh and older wind slabs lie on an angular, prone-to-triggering old snow base. Further weak layers of faceted crystals and deep rime lie in the persistent weak layer below and can occasionally be activated by surface avalanches. The total snow depth is still well below average in many places. Broad ridge and ridges are often completely blown off.

During the night to Sunday, the south foehn will increase in strength and clouds will also pass through temporarily in the south. During the day on Sunday, the Föhn will blow at speeds of 50 to 70 km/h, even stronger directly on the main Tauern ridge. It will be mostly sunny. At 2000 metres the temperature will be between -4 degrees in the Tauern and +2 degrees in the Tennengebirge, at 3000 metres around -6 degrees.

No significant change on Monday, the foehn will continue, wind slab problem persists.