Hochschwab Mountains

Favorable backcountry tour conditions, with daytime danger cycle

Favorable backcountry tour conditions, with daytime danger cycle

Avalanche danger is subject to a daytime cycle, rising from LOW to MODERATE, when the snowpack forfeits its firmness and naturally triggered or skier-triggered (by large additional loading) wet loose-snow avalanches become more frequent on sunny, steep slopes. Glide-snow avalanches are possible at any time of day or night on steep grass-covered slopes and become likelier during the course of the day. Glide cracks and ‘fishbones’ in the snowpack surface are red flags.

During the night, skies are clear and outgoing longwave radiation is adequate, but temperatures remain above zero. Thus, the snowpack surface regains firmness more poorly on sunny slopes and is all that much more quickly softened during the later morning. On shady slopes the snowpack is hard and icy only at high altitudes. The wetness of the snowpack proceeds and, with it, the destabilization, particularly on sunny steep slopes.

Cloudless skies initially throughout Styria, and very mild. Winds will be moderate from the northwest. At 2000 m: +4 degrees during the night and all day long.

On Friday, some clouds above summit level, minor precipitation is possible, slightly lower temperatures. Slightly less pronounced daytime danger cycle.