Hochschwab Mountains

Southerly winds generating snowdrifts on north-facing slopes

Southerly winds generating snowdrifts on north-facing slopes

Avalanche danger above the treeline is moderate. Main problem: snowdrift which have accumulated on S/W/N facing slopes. Danger zones occur in ridgeline terrain, at entries into gullies and bowls and behind discontinuities. Wherever the snow is bonded like a slab, medium-sized avalanches can be triggered even by 1 person. Frequency of danger zones increases with ascending altitude. In all aspects, isolated naturally triggered glide-snow avalanches can be expected. Avoid zones below glide cracks.

A bit of fresh snow from the weekend was transported to E/S facing slopes and on Tuesday as winds shift, will be transported eastwards to W/N-facing slopes. The snowdrift accumulations are small. On E/S facing slopes they cover patches of loose but also decomposed snow, slowly becoming less threatening. On west-facing slopes the fresh drifts lie deposited atop surface hoar. Both of these are potential weak layers. The old snowpack beneath them is compact, without marked weak layers.

Following a night of clear skies, sunny weather on Wednesday. Initially strong southerly winds, slackening off in the afternoon. North of the Main Alpine Ridge at 2000 m: -3 degrees, in the southern regions -8 degrees.

Thursday will bring sunny weather, accompanied by outstanding visibility. Avalanche danger will incrementally decrease.