Weisseck, Muhr Valley

Dropping temperatures plus fresh snow plus wind: moderate snowdrift problem at high altitudes

Dropping temperatures plus fresh snow plus wind: moderate snowdrift problem at high altitudes

Avalanche danger above 2600m is moderate. Freshly generated snowdrift accumulations are triggerable in a few places by low additional loading, esp. on north-facing slopes above 2600m, in other aspects higher up. Avalanche releases are mostly small, in isolated cases medium-sized. In steep terrain which has not yet discharged, small-to-medium wet-snow avalanches can trigger naturally at any time of day or night, or else be triggered by winter sports enthusiasts. Also isolated small-to-medium glide-snow avalanches are possible.

Fresh snowfall (10-20cm) amid wind impact deposited atop a rather compact snowpack up to high altitudes (2600-2800m) which is moist/wet. Above 2600m the near-surface layers of graupel and other soft layers inside the snowpack are potential weak layers. The thoroughly wet snowpack at low altitudes is regaining a certain firmness through the lower temperatures.

On Friday, the peaks will be shrouded in clouds all day long, in northern barrier cloud regions there will be rainfall/snowfall of moderate strength, snowfall level at 1500m. At high altitudes in the Tauern, stormy northerly winds, further removed the winds will be strong, with windspeeds reaching 30 km/hr. Near the Northern Alps, up to 10cm of fresh snow by evening, near the Tauern 5-20cm of fresh snow, near the Nockberge about 5cm. At 2000m: -1 degree; at 3000m: -7 degrees. Also on Friday night, rainfall and snowfall, and the snowfall will continue from dense clouds.

No significant change expected. Regionally, another 10cm of fresh snow could be added.