Hochschwab Mountains

Not much snow, low avalanche danger but isolated avalanche prone locations at high altitudes in the Northern Alps

Not much snow, low avalanche danger but isolated avalanche prone locations at high altitudes in the Northern Alps

Avalanche danger throughout Styria’s mountains is low, isolated avalanche prone locations (older small ridgeline snowdrift accumulations) occur at high altitudes of the Dachstein and Totes Gebirge Massif on N/E slopes at entry points into steep gullies and bowls and in general behind abrupt discontinuities in the terrain in isolated cases where small slab avalanches can be triggered in isolated cases. Attentiveness is required especially towards the snowdrift accumulations on shady slopes. Below 2000 m on steep grassy slopes in all aspects, naturally triggered avalanches can be expected. Open glide cracks are danger signals, avoid those zones. Due to the shallow snow depths, often with melt-freeze encrusted or surface-hoar blanketed surfaces, the risks of taking a fall outweigh those of being buried in snow masses.

In general, snow depths are extremely below average for this juncture of the season. The snowpack below 1700 m is fragmented. Up to over 2000 m the snowpack is at very least moist. Only at high altitudes is there a cohesive snowpack, and a stable snowpack fundament. Older snowdrift patches have been able to consolidate in places, particularly on high altitude shady slopes the drifts are poorly bonded with the old snowpack below. Below 2000 m the shallow snowpack on steep grassy slopes is gliding away.

A SW air current is bringing very mild air masses to Styria. In early morning on the northern flank of the Alps, light rainfall is possible from the heavy cloud cover, occasional sunny intervals are also possible. On the southern flank of the Alps more sunshine is anticipted. Winds will be light to moderate from W/SW, on the eastern rim of the Alps also blowing at strong velocity. At 2000 m: up to 10 degrees; at 1500 m, up to 13 degrees.

Due to persistent high temperatures and the settling of the snowpack these will cause, danger of slab avalanches will continue to decrease. The team at the Avalanche Warnings Services of Styria wishes everyone an accident-free new year.