Hochschwab Mountains

Low avalanche danger but isolated avalanche prone locations at high altitudes in the Northern Alps

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 snowdrift accumulations) occur at high altitudes of the Dachstein and Totes Gebirge Massif near ridgelines, 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.

An ineffectural cold front will bring lots of clouds on Friday, but hardly any precipitation. In early morning above 1100 m light snowfall is possible, the clouds will later disperse and skies might even become cloudless. In afternoon, clouds will again move in. Temperatures at 2000 at midday: -1 at 2000; +2 degrees at 1500 m. Light to moderate SW winds, intensifying slightly in the afternoon. A westerly air current will bring extremel mild air masses to the Eastern Alps on New Year’s Eve. The day will begin with clouds, particularly in the Hohe Tauern and Northern Alps, a bit of rainfall is anticipated. Later sunshine will prevail throughout the mountains. Temperatures at 2000 m: up to 10 degrees. Mostly sunny and mild weather on New Year’s Day. On 3 January, dropping temperatures are anticipated.

Little change in avalanche danger levels is expected. Warmth and solar radiation will further moisten the snowpack, making naturally triggered glide-snow and wet-snow avalanches possible. The snowpack will continue to recede.