Hochschwab Mountains

Snowdrift accumulations are still instable

Snowdrift accumulations are still instable

Avalanche danger above the treeline is moderate. Main problem: snowdrifts in all aspects, but esp. on east and south-facing slopes. Danger zones near ridges, at entries into gullies and bowls, behind discontinuities. Instable snowdrifts have accumulated in exposed zones, triggerable as small-to-medium slab avalanches even by minimum additional loading. On shady steep high-altitude slopes, also large avalanches can be triggered (start of a persistent weak layer problem). Windblown surfaces are often icy and hard, acute danger of falling.

The loose snow has been transported to all aspects, the accumulated snowdrifts occur not only near ridges, often in wide-open areas below the treeline, the are poorly bonded with the surface. Potential weak layers: faceted layers and surface hoar clinging to crusts. The snowpack beneath this is compact, without marked weak layers. Only on steep shady high altitude slopes do faceted layers weaken the entire mass. The snowpack surface is highly diverse, often a hard challenge for skiers, alternating wind crusts, swirls, hardened and icy surfaces. In wind-protected shady terrain and wooded zones there is also loose powder (due to cold, and good outgoing nocturnal radiation beneath clear skies).

Following a night of clear skies, Sunday will be mostly sunny (only a few cirrus clouds). On the northern and eastern rim of the Alps, strong-to-stormy westerly winds, but in Niedere Tauern and southwards therefrom winds will be much lighter. At 2000 m: -5 degrees in the NE and -1 degree in the south and southwest.

On Sunday night, heavy clouds will move in and strong westerly winds will help them to persist, however with only minor snowfall. South of the Main Alpine Ridge, weather will be more tranquil and largely sunny. Avalanche danger levels are not expected to change significantly.