Hochschwab Mountains

Increase in danger of spontaneous wet snow avalanches to considerable during the day - additional persistent weak layer problem in shady high areas!

Increase in danger of spontaneous wet snow avalanches to considerable during the day - additional persistent weak layer problem in shady high areas!

The avalanche danger is assessed as moderate (level 2) in the morning above 1800 metres. After a mild night, the avalanche danger will increase to considerable (level 3) during the day, especially on slopes with southern aspects. Wet loose snow avalanches can still occur spontaneously in isolated cases. In addition, triggering of wet slab avalanches is possible in some places, which can reach medium size. Triggering of dry slab avalanches is possible in very steep gullies and bowls on shady slopes with low additional load. The avalanches can tear through to the ground in the northern sector. Occasional gliding avalanches can still slide from grass mats.

The warming has already allowed the snowpack to settle a little. Due to the mild temperatures and solar radiation, the snowpack is rapidly losing its firmness. On the northern slopes, the kinetic metamorphism (cup crystals in the snow layer close to the ground!) continues to weaken the snowpack.

On the mountains, Friday night will be clear and mostly frost-free. During the day, sunshine will dominate with mostly cloudless skies. High fog may accumulate below 1000 metres in the morning only in the foothills. The wind will be light to moderate. Temperatures: at 2000 metres between +2 degrees in the morning and +6 degrees in the afternoon, at 1500 metres between 0 degrees in the morning and up to +11 degrees in the afternoon.

Continued high pressure weather with lots of sunshine. It will remain mild. Daytime changes in the avalanche risk are expected.