Hochschwab Mountains

Caution urged towards older, thinly blanketed snowdrifts

Caution urged towards older, thinly blanketed snowdrifts

Main danger: older snowdrifts. Danger zones occur mainly on N/E/S facing wind-loaded slopes and, in particular, behind protruberances and at entry points into gullies and bowls, where slab avalanches can be triggered by large addtional loading, in isolated cases also by minimum additional loading (1 person). On smooth grassy slopes naturally triggered glide-snow avalanches are possible, in isolated cases they can endanger exposed transportation routes. Zones below glide cracks should be avoided.

The fresh snow from Wednesday is bonding well with the snow from last weekend, but have. been covered over by freshly generated snowdrifts (which have not yet settled, due to low temperatures, esp. on shady slopes). Weak layers are making the snow prone to triggering. The base at ground level is often moist, on steep grassy slopes the snowpack is still gliding.

Northern barrier clouds will disperse overnight, an intermediate high will prevail on Thursday. Along the Northern Alps and Tauern northern flank the residual clouds and fog will disperse during the morning, snow showers will persist for long from Eisenerzer Alps and eastwards. On the southern flank of the Alps there is little cloud cover, sunshine will prevail at latest at midday. Winds will initially be still strong from NW, but slacken off somewhat during the day. At midday at 2000 m: -11 degrees; at 1500 m: -8 degrees. In the south: -8 and -4 degrees. In the evening, warm air masses will increase their inflow to the northern flank of the Alps, a shallow foehn situation will prevail temporarily. In the valleys it will remain cold. On Friday a warm front will bring warm air masses our way. Closed cloud cover will make temperatures at 2000 m extend above freezing.

Initially no significant change, the cold is preserving the potential weak layers. As temperatures rise on Friday, the situation will improve.