Hochschwab Mountains

Fresh snow and snowdrifts. Wet-snow problem at low altitudes.

Fresh snow and snowdrifts. Wet-snow problem at low altitudes.

Avalanche danger in the Northern Alps is HIGH above the treeline. There are 2 main problem: 1) naturally triggered slab avalanches and loose-snow avalanches at high altitudes which can even endanger exposed transportion routes; 2) due to higher temperatures at low altitudes, naturally triggered wet-snow avalanches can be expected, which can also reach local infrastructure facilities. In backcountry touring regions the conditions are unfavorable. At high altitudes, massive amounts of fresh snow have been transported. The fresh drifts lie deposited in N/E/S aspects. Also in forest lanes and clearances there are new drifts. Backcountry skiers/boarders can trigger a slab avalanche even by the weight of one person.

Over the last 24 hours in the northern barrier cloud regions there has been 30-50 cm of fresh snow registered. Thus, since the start of this period of percipiation there has been more than one metre of new snow. On Wednesday, in addition, there were some releases. The storm winds on Wednesday transported huge amounts of snow, particularly in eastern aspects. Potential weak layers are the soft layers inside the snowpack. In the old snow are weak, faceted crystals beneath a melt-freeze crust in the layering.

In Upper Styria on Wednesday night, a bit of snowfall or snow showers can be expected. On Thursday, conditions will improve gradually. In the morning, particularly north of the Main Alpine Ridge there will be some snow showers, in the afternoon it will be dry by and large and the clouds will disperse somewhat. Winds will be moderate to brisk from the northwest. At 2000 m at midday: -3 degrees. In the afternoon at 1500 m: +3 degrees. Mostly sunny and quite mild weather on Friday.

Avalanche danger will recede.