Wölz Tauern South

Snowdrifts trigger-prone

Snowdrifts trigger-prone

Avalanche danger above 1800 m is moderate, below that altitude danger is low. Fresh and older drifts at entries from steep gullies and bowls also behind discontinuities, the strong winds can form trigger-prone snowdrift accumulations also in wooded zones.  Frequency and size of snowdrifts increase with ascending altitude, hard to recognize due to poor visibility.

Fresh and older snowdrift accumulations in transitions from steep gullies and bowls and behind discontinuities can be triggered in places by 1 person. Slabs are mostly small-to-medium. Frequency and size of danger zones increases with ascending altitude, also occur in wooded zones. Some fresh snow and drifts will be deposited atop a generally stable and thoroughly moist (superficially melt-freeze encrusted) snowpack. Amounts: 10 cm from Turrach to Soboth, 25 cm in Niedere Tauern region and Dachstein Massif. Bonding to the old snowpack is good. On north-faceing slopes older snowdrifts are now covered, on south-facing slopes the snow fell on bare ground up to high altitudes or atop wind-compressed snow from the weekend. Inside the fresh and older snow are possibly weak layers, they will initially be prone to triggering. Esp. in zones where snowfall is heavy, snowdrifts can be frequent and large-sized. The snowpack base is often wet, tends to glide over smooth ground.

A low along the eastern rim of the Alps is bringing snowfall, focal point: from Hochschwab over Mürzsteg Alps to Stuhleck. On Monday evening snowfall from heavy cloud cover, snowfall level at 1100-1300 m. In western Upper Styria, less snowfall, in the southern regions hardly any at all. Nonetheless, skies will be overcast on Tuesday, the higher peaks shrouded in fog. In evening, bright intervals are likely. Strong-to-stormy and cold NW winds. At 2000 m: -4 degrees.

Avalanche danger levels are not expected to change significantly. Snowdrift problem slowly receding.