Hochschwab Mountains

Freshly generated snowdrift accumulations

Freshly generated snowdrift accumulations

Avalanche danger below the treeline is low, danger above the treeline is moderate Fresh fallen snow and strong-to-stormy winds generated new snowdrift accumulations, danger zones are located especially on E/S facing steep slopes where even minimum additional loading can trigger medium-sized slab avalanches. Despite lower temperatures the glide-snow avalanche activity has not slowed, thus, still avoid zones below glide cracks.

Due to dropping temperatures a melt-freeze crust has formed at lower and intermediate altitudes. Atop of it in the Northern Alps and Niedere Tauern, 10-20 cm of fresh snow has been deposited. Bonding of fresh snow to the warm melt-freeze crust below it is poor. Ground level layers are moist up to high altitudes. At low altitudes the moist snowfall has bonded well with the moist old snowpack surface.

Sunday on the northern flank of the Alps will have overcast skies, high peaks will be veiled in clouds. In the morning minor snowfall is possible. Brisk NW winds will continue. South of the Niedere Tauern these will disperse the clouds and permit a bit of sunshine. It will be icy c old. At 2000 m: -14 degrees.

Monday: heavy clouds will shroud the summits, visibility will be severely reduced. In Upper Styria initially some snowfall, then easing. On the southern flank of the Alps it will be dry. Sunshine will be rare, clouds will remain dense. Icy cold. At 2000 m: -13 degrees. Winds will be moderate from the northeast. No significant change is expected.