Hochschwab Mountains

Low avalanche danger but isolated avalanche prone locations at high altitudes due to fresh snowdrifts

Low avalanche danger but isolated avalanche prone locations at high altitudes due to fresh snowdrifts

Avalanche danger throughout Styria is low, isolated avalanche prone locations occur at high altitudes near ridgelines, at entry points into steep gullies and bowls and in general behind abrupt discontinuities in the terrain in isolated cases where minimum additional loading can trigger small slab avalanches. Below 2000 m on steep grassy slopes in all aspects, naturally triggered avalanches can be expected. Open glide cracks are danger signals, avoid those zones.

In general, snow depths are extremely below average for this juncture of the season. The snowpack below 1700 m is incohesive. Up to over 2000 m the snowpack is at very least moist. Only at high altitudes is there a cohesive snowpack, and a stable snowpack fundament. Atop of it lies up to 15 cm of fresh snow since Monday night in the northern barrier cloud regions, further south there is less. Due to strong NW winds, fresh snowdrift patches are generating, not binding well with the old snowpack on shady high altitude slopes. Below 2000 m the shallow snowpack on steep grassy slopes is gliding away.

On Monday night, a cold front will reach Styria, bring lower temperatures and a bit of fresh snow above 800 m, amid strong NW winds. On Tuesday in the northern barrier cloud regions, still some light snow showers, the peaks will be wreathed in fog. Focal point of the snowfall (up to 15 cm) will be in the northern barrier cloud regions, southwards therefrom hardly any fresh snow is anticipated. Further south, brisk NW winds will swiftly disperse the clouds, the peaks will come free and sunshine is expected. At midday latest, sunny weather will reign throughout Styria. Temporarily colder than in recent days. At 2000 m: -6 to -3 degrees. On Wednesday, sunshine to start with, intermediate clouds will move in during the course of the day. Peaks will mostly remain free, visibility nicht hampered. As westerly winds intensify, temperatuers will slowly rise again.

The small, fresh snowdrift accumulations are slowly stabilising, the small-area glide-snow activity will increase slightly due to the higher temperatures, but all in all, avalanche danger will remain low.