Hochschwab Mountains

Latent persistent weak layer problem, slightly increasing wet snow problem

Latent persistent weak layer problem, slightly increasing wet snow problem

The avalanche risk is low. Nevertheless, there is still a persistent weak layer problem in the extended northern sector. Occasionally, mainly in very steep gullies and bowls, slab avalanches can be triggered by people. The avalanche prone locations are usually difficult to recognise and are often located in transition areas from a little to a lot of snow. On sunny slopes, incoming radiation increases the probability of triggering small wet snow avalanches. In steep terrain, there is a risk of falling on the hard snow surface.

With outgoing longwave radiation, a melt-freeze crust can form, which softens on the sunny slopes during the day with increasing moisture penetration. On shady slopes at higher altitudes, there are still isolated areas with a soft (faceted) snow surface, where the firmness of the layer changes depending on altitude and exposure. Below this there is an increasingly sufficiently settled and compact snowpack, the transition to the foundation consisting of deep rime (floating snow) is still poor. Medium and low altitudes are often free of snow.

Residual clouds and showers can still be found in the southern mountains on Thursday evening, then it will be dry everywhere during the night. The weather will soften from the north, with some low residual clouds or fog remaining in the valleys and lowlands. On Friday, sunny weather will quickly prevail over the mountains and the clouds of fog over the valleys will quickly clear. In the afternoon, heavier spring clouds will form, especially over the southern mountains, but there won't be enough for showers. The temperature at 1500 metres above sea level will be between 1 and 7 degrees. Moderate winds with gusts of around 30 km/h from the north-east to south-west.

Quite sunny and dry on Friday and Saturday. With a wind shift to the south-west, it will be partly foehn. Little change in the avalanche danger.