Hochschwab Mountains

Persistent weak layer problem.

Persistent weak layer problem.

The avalanche risk is low. Nevertheless, there is still a persistent weak layer problem in the extended northern sector. Occasionally, mainly in very steep gullies and bowls, slab avalanches can be triggered by people. The avalanche prone locations are usually difficult to recognise and are often located in transition areas from a little to a lot of snow. On sunny slopes, incoming radiation increases the probability of triggering small wet snow avalanches. In steep terrain, there is a risk of falling on the hard snow surface.

The snowpack is set. As it cools, the snowpack surface becomes hard. In the persistent weak layer, floating snow weakens the snow layering. The snow inside the snowpack is moist to wet, depending on the altitudes.

During the night, dense, low-lying clouds will move in from the north-west, but it will remain largely precipitation-free. A cold front will bring snow showers from the north-west. In the Totes Gebirge, snow showers will fall in the early hours of the morning, over the southern foothills from midday. In the afternoon, it will hardly snow at all in Upper Styria. The amount of precipitation will be very low on the northern side of the Alps, from Seetaler Alpe to Koralpe a few centimetres of new fallen snow may fall with the showers. The north-westerly wind will be brisk. The temperature at an altitude of 1500 metres will be between -1 and 3 degrees. Moderate winds with gusts of around 40 km/h from north to south. The snowfall level will be between 700 and 1600 metres above sea level. The amount of new snow in the Gurk and Seetal Alps is around 10 cm.

It will continue to cool down on Tuesday night and snow showers will fall on the northern side of the Alps. The risk of avalanches may increase slightly.