Weisseck, Muhr Valley

Fresh snowdrift accumulations. Weak layer in places.

Fresh snowdrift accumulations. Weak layer in places.

Avalanche danger above the treeline is MODERATE, below that altitude danger is LOW. Fresh snowdrift accumulations which have been generated since Thursday morning, esp. along the Main Alpine Ridge and at high altitudes in the Northern Alps, can in places be triggered even by the weight of one sole skier and release a medium-sized avalanche. Danger zones occur mostly in ridgeline terrain and pass areas as well as behind abrupt discontinuties in the terrain on W/N/NE facing slopes. In the foehn lanes this could also apply to east-facing gullies which were filled laterally by winds with drifts. Danger zones are easily recognized and should be circumvented. In addition, naturally triggered glide-snow avalanches of medium size are possible on steep grassy slopes in all aspects, mostly in south-facing terrain, below 2400 m. Zones below glide cracks should be avoided whenever possible.

Fresh snow and drifts are well bonded with the snowpack. Freshly generated drifts lie on W/N/NE facing slopes slopes, but atop a loose snowpack surface and are prone to triggering in places. More deeply embedded inside the snowpack are triggerable layers.On south-facing slopes in steep terrain there is a thin melt-freeze crust on the surface. In other aspects there is often good powder in wind-protected terrain.

On Friday, sunny once again, skies no longer as cloudless. Intermittent clouds will appear. Visibility should be unhampered. In the Radstadt Tauern and Lungau the NW winds can be brisk to strong. At 2000 M. -7 to -5 degrees; at 3000 m: -9 or -8 degrees.

As W/NW winds intensify on Saturday, fresh snowdrift accumulations will be generated. Older drifts are bonding, their trigger-sensitivity is diminishing.