Pongau Grass Mountains

Beware freshly generated snowdrifts above timberline

Beware freshly generated snowdrifts above timberline

Avalanche danger is MODERATE. Fresh snowdrifts on NW/E/S facing slopes can be triggererd by 1 person and reach medium size. Also in gullies in other aspects the drifts are trigger-prone. At low and intermediate altitudes, in addition, small wet loose-snow avalanches are expected, either triggering naturally or artificially. Latent danger of small-to-medium glide-snow avalanches persists.

Lots of snowfall at variable temperatures, often accompanied by stormy W/NW winds, bonding of latest snow (10-20 cm, also 30 cm west of Dientner Grassy Mountains) is good but deteriorates with ascending altitude. Weak layer for a slab: a soft layer of faceted crystals beneath a near-surface crust in the old snow (rain-ice crust or wind crust or melt-freeze crust) but fractures inside the freshly generated drifts are also possible. Lower temperatures are helping the moist snowpack to regain its firmness. Reinforced gliding is being observed on steep grass-covered slopes.

Overnight, widespread snowfall (5-10 cm), the snowfall level ascending from 1000 to 1300 m. On Friday, heavy cloud, reduced visibility, few bright intervals. Rainfall/snowfall from Osterhorn Massif to Pongau Grassy Mountains in the morning, snowfall level 1300-1600 m, then terminating. Moderate westerly winds. At 1500 m: 0 to 3 degrees; at 2000 m: -1 degree.

On Saturday, naturally triggered avalanches (loose snow) on sun-drenched steep slopes. The likelihood of triggering will decrease.