Hochschwab Mountains

Heed snowdrift accumulations above 1900m. AVOID zones below glide cracks.

Heed snowdrift accumulations above 1900m. AVOID zones below glide cracks.

Avalanche danger is low. The risks of wet-snow avalanches have receded, those of glide-snow avalanches persist. Isolated snowdrift masses are located mostly in east-facing terrain behind protruberances and at high-altitude entries into gullies and bowls. On shady slopes these altitudes can also have a persistent weak layer, i.e. surface hoar or faceted crystals, long blanketed by melt-freeze crusts and fresher snow. Exposed terrain is hard and icy, acute risks of falling.

The shift from higher to lower temperatures has stabilized the snowpack. At low altitudes the surfaces become soft during the day. At higher altitudes they remain melt-freeze encrusted, on shady slopes with compacted powder. On shady slopes, often hardened compressed powder. Fresh drifts (shallow) were generated particularly on east-facing slopes.

The Eastern Alps lie in the path of a powerful westerly air current. On Sunday a cold front will pass through, bringing precipitation in the morning (minor). The snowfall level will lie at 1000m. The sun will appear only intermittently, most likely during the afternoon. Strong to stormy westerly winds will prevail. Temperature at midday at 2000 m: -6 degrees; at 1500m -3 degrees. In the mountain massifs south of the Main Tauern Ridge the weather conditions will be better, clouds will move through but rarely block the sun. Winds will be much ligher than in the north. Temperatures at midday at 2000 m: -3 degrees; at 1500m: +1 degree. On Monday along the Northern Alps, a cold front will pass through. Summits in Hohe Tauern and Northern Alps will b e shrouded in fog and snowfall plus graupel amid stormy W/NW winds is expected. In the afternoon, the clouds will disperse, the stormy winds will persist. On the southern flank of the Alps, sunny phases in leeward terrain, but stormy winds.

Fresh snow plus storm-strength winds will increase avalanche danger levels on Monday.