Vienna- This weekend's sudden winter onslaught has sharply increased the danger of avalanches in the Austrian alps, reported the APA news service Monday.

The peaks and slopes of western Austria's Upper Styria region are especially hard hit, reported the agency. The Salzkammergut region around Salzburg reported 1.5 metres of new snowfall in the last few days. In parts of the federal states of Salzburg and Voralberg the avalanche warning system was set to Level 3, or high danger.

The avalanche risk will remain for the next few days, especially if temperatures warm up on Thursday, as forecast. But Alexander Podesser, a meteorologist, said the danger will diminish if there is no more snow in the coming days. (dpa)