Hochschwab Mountains

Few danger spots in high altitudes due to persistent weak layers within the snow cover!

The avalanche danger is in general low. Persistent weak layers above 1.800 m. Danger spots are usually located in shady northwesterly to southeasterly expositions, especially in entries to extremely steep gullies and bowls. Here medium-sized slab avalanches can be triggered by high additional loads.

The snowcover is in general unusually thin considering the season. Only in blown-in gullies and bowls higher amounts of compact snow is found. On sunny slopes the snow cover is already moist even in high altitudes. On the surface hoar is forming. On shady slopes in medium and high altitudes a succession of soft layers built of faceted snow crystals and melt-freeze crust is found. The bonding is poor and the snow base is weak.

In western North-Styria (Turrach, Dachstein, Niedere Tauern and Seetaler Alps) dense clouds on Sunday morning and snowfall or rain from noon on. The snowline on the north side of the Alps is around 1.000 m and eastwards on 1.500 m. Maximum amount of new snow is 5 cm. In the east the morning will be sunny, in the afternoon clouds are accumulating and partially precipitation is called. Moderate southwesterly winds. Temperatures are -4 to -1 degrees at noon in 2.000 m.

Stormy southwesterly winds. Temperatures are higher the 0 degrees even in 2.500 m. An upcoming coldfront will bring a little amount of new snow on Tuesday. No significant change of the avalanche danger.