Hochschwab Mountains

Do not underestimate the snowdrifts on the Main Alpine Ridge!

Do not underestimate the snowdrifts on the Main Alpine Ridge!

Avalanche danger below the treeline is low, above that altitude danger is moderate. Avalanches prone locations are found esp. on north-facing slopes where small-to-medium slab avalanches can be triggered even by the weight of one sole person. Particularly in the Planneralm to Styrian Kalkspitze, larger snowdrift accumulations on north-facing slopes can be expected, lying deposited in gullies and bowls as well as behind abrupt discontinuities in the terrain. Ridgeline terrain needs to be evaluated critically. On sunny slopes, isolated loose-snow avalanches are setill possible in rough and rocky terrain.

The E/S winds deposited snowdrifts on north-facing slopes. The drifts lie deposited mostly atop a melt-freeze crust below which are soft layers. Due to low temperatures settling was limited. Further snowdrifts can be expected to generate on north-facing slopes due to southerly winds. The ground level layer is moist up to high altitudes.

In the Northern Alps and Niedere Tauern, sunshine on Thursday. Moderate S/SE winds, foehn wind in the north. At 2000 m: -2 degree, winds light to moderate from the southeast.

On Friday, variable conditions are expected, clouds will dominate, visibility at high altitudes will be reduced. Showers will be rare, clouds are expected to disperse in the afternoon. Winds will shift to northerly, be blowing at light to moderate strength. At 2000 m: -4 degrees. No significant change is expected.