Fischbach Alps West, Graz Highlands

MODERATE avalanche danger above the timberline due fresh snowdrift accumulations

MODERATE avalanche danger above the timberline due fresh snowdrift accumulations

MODERATE avalanche danger above the timberline, LOW below that altitude. Strong-to-stormy NW winds combined with snowfall are generating fresh snowdrift accumulations in gullies and bowls in all aspects near to and distant from ridgelines, also in sparsely wooded zones. Small-to-medium sized slab avalanches can be triggered even by one person. Most critical are the transitions from shallow to deep snow and entries into gullies and bowls. Weak layers are prone to triggering, can be released even by one person and grow to large size. Poor visibility makes assessment of dangers on-site very difficult.

Wednesday brought only a bit of fresh snow, on Wednesday night between Stubalpe and Hochwechsel more will arrive. Further south, hardly any fresh snow. The snow will be intensely transported by stormy NW winds, deposited in all aspects in gullies and bowls atop bonded snowdrift masses. The drifts themselves lie atop a compact old snowpack or older drifts. Weak layers lurk inside the fresh snow and drifts and in transitions to the existing old snowpack.

A strong NW air current is bringing stormy winds and some snowfall. Snowfall will start on Thursday morning, persist until evening and be heavy in the afternoon (snowfall level 800-1000 m, rainfall lower down). Up to 20 cm of fresh snow is possible, amid strong NW winds. At 2000 m: -6 degrees; the zero-degree level lies at 1200 m. The snowfall will persist until Friday morning, then ease. The snowfall level will ascend to nearly 1000-1200 m during the day. Strong NW winds will continue to blow. At 2000 m: -4 degrees, the zero-degree level will ascend to 1500 m during the course of the day.

Fresh snow and stormy winds continue to make the snowdrifts prone to triggering. No significant change is expected in avalanche danger levels.