Hochschwab Mountains

Naturally triggered glide-snow avalanches in steep terrain

Naturally triggered glide-snow avalanches in steep terrain

Avalanche danger is moderate in general. On steep slopes in all aspects, naturally triggered glide-snow/wet-snow avalanches caan be expected. Open glide cracks are indicators of imminent danger. In addition, at high altitudes in extended east-facing terrain behind discontinuities there are snowdrift accumulations which in places can be triggered by 1 person, releases reaching medium-to-large size.

At high altitudes, ridgeline snowdrift accumulations have been generated by minor fresh snow and moderate W/NW winds, on Tuesday stormy winds can transport the snow further, the drifts have not yet bonded with the snowpack surface. At intermediate and lower altitudes the snowpack is very moist-to-wet due to rain impact, can glide over smooth ground.

Due to a NW airstream, moist/cool air masses will move into the northern flank of the Alps on Tuesday, heavy clouds will accompany them, the summits will be veiled in fog. Above 1000 m repeated bouts of light snowfall, mostly between Dachstein and Totes Gebirge. By afternoon the clouds will recede. The NW winds will be strong, stormy on east-facing slopes. On the southern flank of the Alps conditions will be far more pleasant, with foehn-induced sunshine in the morning. At 2000 m: -6 degrees; at 1500 m: -2 degrees. Following a brief nocturnal interim high, a warm front will arrive on Ash Wednesday, bringing variably conditions and instable weather. Winds will be lighter, temperatures slightly higher, hardly any precipitation is expected.

Due to slowly rising temperatures, the snowdrift problem will recede. The gliding snow problem will persist.