Hochschwab Mountains

Some fresh snow at high altitudes

Some fresh snow at high altitudes

Avalanche danger above 2000 m is moderate, at lower altitudes danger is low. Main danger stems from fresh and older snowdrifts which are insufficiently bonded with the fundament and where low additional loading by one sole person can trigger a slab avalanche in extremely steep entry zones into gullies and bowls in all aspects., triggerable mostly by large additional loading, sometimes by minimum loading, in isolated cases triggering naturally.

Over the last 24 hours there has been 5-10 cm of fresh snow registered. At high altitudes, depending on aspect and landscape, older snowdrift mases or loose snow atop a melt-freeze encrusted snowpack fundament, lie deposited (weak layer: surface hoar and/or loose fresh snow). In between them in many places are weak layers of faceted crystals (“cold on warm”). The snowpack fundament has already been fully moistened up to 2200 m, is currently stable.

Gray, instable weather conditions will persist on Easter Sunday. Minor snowfall/rainfall showers, clouds will disperse somewhat in the afternoon. Winds will be moderate to brisk from the north. At 2000 m: -5 degrees.

Easter Monday will begin in the Northern Aps with clouds and fog. From the west, sunshine will gradually seep through. On the southern flank of the Alps the day will begin with sunshine, in eastern parts some cloud cover will move in during the afternoon. It will be sunniest in the Niedere Tauern and über Turrach as far as the Seetal Alps. It is expected to remain dry. The snowpack is settling. As a result of higher daytime temperatures, small-to-medium sized naturally triggered loose-snow avalanches can be expected.