Hochschwab Mountains

Trigger-sensitive snowdrifts above the timberline: moderate avalanche danger

Trigger-sensitive snowdrifts above the timberline: moderate avalanche danger

Above the timberline, moderate avalanche danger prevails, below that altitude danger is low. Avalanche prone locations are primarily behind abrupt discontinuities in the terrain, created by snowdrift masses on east and south-facing slopes, where small-to-medium sized avalanches can be triggered even by minimum additional loading. In addition, in all high altitude aspects there is a persistent weak layer of faceted crystals bordering on melt-freeze crusts deeply embedded inside the snowpack. Large-sized avalanches can be triggered by releasing this part of the snowpack.

Up to 20 cm of fresh snow amid strong N/W winds has generated fresh snowpack masses on east and south-facing slopes. These lie deposited atop surface hoar, which weakens the snowpack, but generally large additional loading is required to trigger an avalanche.

On Sunday early morning, clouds and residual fog will disperse, thereafter sunshine can be expected. At 2000 m: rising from -11 to -5 degrees. Winds will initially be moderate from the north, then shift during the daytime to northwesterly and intensify. Also Monday will begin with sunny skies, but the increasingly stormy NW winds will bring us a new cold front in the afternoon, and with it, some fresh snowfall.

As a result of the fresh fallen snow and wind, avalanche danger levels will rise somewhat starting on Monday afternoon (snowdrift problem).