Hochschwab Mountains

Beware snowdrifts on high-altitude shady slopes

Beware snowdrifts on high-altitude shady slopes

Avalanche danger above the treeline is moderate, below that altitude danger is low. Due to strong southerly foehn winds, fresh snowdrift accumulations are being generated. Danger zones increase with ascending altitude, occur behind discontinuities and in gullies and bowls on W/N/E facing slopes, also distant from ridges, slabs can be triggered by 1 person and can be medium-sized. On sunny slopes, isolated small-to-medium naturally triggered loose-snow avalanches possible in steep rocky terrain. Danger of glide-snow avalanches rising in steep sunny grass-covered terrain at all altitudes. Avoid zones below glide cracks.

The fresh fallen snow from recent days was moistened on sunny slopes. Strong southerly winds are doing their work of the surface and generating fresh snowdrift accumulations on leeward slopes. Weak layers exist (loose layers & faceted forms) in transitions to the snow base and drifts. Isolated more deeply embedded weak layers near crusts are evident on shady slopes in isolated cases. Due to radiation and warmth plus rainfall the snowpack rapidly becomes moist and forfeits its firmness. Increasing moistness down to the ground leads to gliding activity of the entire snowpack.

The stormy southerly foehn airstream persists. On Tuesday evening and during the night, skies will often be overcast, minor precipitation is possible in the SW regions. During the daytime on Wednesday, most ranges will be in cloud, possibly dispersing slightly in the Northern Alps in morning. In afternoon, a cold front will move in, southern barrier clouds will remain lodged, the snowfall level will lie at 1900 m. As southerly winds persist, it will turn stormy. At 2000 m: 1-4 degrees, mildest in the Northern Alps due to foehn impact.

On Wednesday night a cold front will move in from the west, bringing some fresh snow to SW regions, and a dropping snowfall level. Sunshine in the morning, with strong SW winds, then shifting to NW, temperatures dropping amid rainfall/snowfall. Depending on amounts, fresh snowdrifts could accumulate.