Pongau Grass Mountains

STORM! Avoid snowdrifts.

STORM! Avoid snowdrifts.

Avalanche danger at and above the treeline is at least MODERATE, below that altitude danger is LOW. Fresh snowdrift masses are triggerable by the weight of one single person. Due to limited snowdrift accumulations the danger level is JUST BARELY MODERATE (2). Potential avalanches can grow to medium size. Most danger zones exist in N/E/S aspects especially in distant-from-ridgeline terrain down to steep forest lanes.

The old snowpack has settled well, is usually topped by a melt-freeze crust. Exposed terrain is utterly windblown, hardened or icy. On top of that the cold fresh snow is deposited amid lots of wind. Fresh snowdrifts are triggered with relative ease. Inside the snowpack are soft layers of faceted crystals, usually beneath hard layers of melt-freeze crusts. These weak layer are currently not relevant to triggering.

On Tuesday, poor visibility, ongoing snowfall in the morning. In the afternoon the snowfall will pause, visibility improve. Stormy NW winds at 60-80 km/hr will be blowing. Fresh snow between Monday evening and Tuesday evening: 15 to 20 cm. At 2000 m: -8 degrees. On Wednesday morning poor visibility again, with snow showers. Fresh snow: another 10-15 cm. As of midday, visibility will noticeably improve, and some sunshine can be expected. Stormy NW winds, slackening off in late afternoon. At 2000 m: -6 degrees.

Snowdrift problem above the timberline.