Hochschwab Mountains

Snowdrift problem at high altitude

Snowdrift problem at high altitude

Above the timberline, avalanche danger is MODERATE. New snow and frequently strong winds have generated fresh, trigger-sensitive snowdrift accumulations. Small-to-medium slab avalanches can be triggered even by the weight of one sole skier. Avalanche prone locations increase with ascending altitude, are found particularly in NE/E/SW facing gullies and bowls and behind protruberances, depending on wind impact also in forest clearances.

From the Seetal Alps over Niedere Tauern to Hochschwab region, up to 22 cm of fresh snow has been registered which fell amid strong wind impact. At higher altitudes the fresh snow and drifts were often deposited atop a smooth, melt-freeze encrusted old snowpack surface, initially with little wind influence. Bot the smooth surface and the soft snowpack layers constitute a weak layer for the bonded snowdrifts. From place to place also faceted weak layers are found beneath the melt-freeze crust and can be triggered. At lower altitudes, bonding of the fresh snow to the shallow snowpack is often better. In zones without wind the snowpack is loose.

In the Northern Alps and along the Niedere Tauern, clouds will accumulate, fog will move in, minor snowfall is possible on Epiphany. Starting at midday, skies will brighten somewhat, the highest peaks may become free. Much more pleasant conditions prevail on the southern flank of the Alps, the summits are free from the start and clouds will disperse and make room for the sun in the morning. An icy NW wind will be blowing briskly. At 2000 m: -10 degrees at midday; at 1500 m: -6 degrees. Winds will make it feel colder. On Friday, mostly sunny and cold, good visibility. The SW winds wil be light-to-moderate.

The dry cold preserves the snowpack, trigger-sensitive snowdrifts cannot settle, the main problem persists.