Hochschwab Mountains

Fresh snowdrift accumulations at high altitudes

Fresh snowdrift accumulations at high altitudes

Avalanche danger above 2000m is moderate. Freshly generated snowdrifts can be triggered as a slab by one sole skier. Special alertness is necessary on E/S facing slopes. For glide-snow avalanches, take heed of the glide cracks: they are red flags. Due to solar radiation, naturally triggered loose-snow avalanches can be expected on extremely steep slopes in E/S aspects. At high altitudes, older ridgeline snowdrifted zones still require alertness.

Over the last 24 hours there has been up to 10 cm of fresh snow registered widespread, transported by strong northerly winds. Freshly generated snowdrift accumulations were deposited atop a hard old snowpack and have poor bonding to the old snowpack surface. Due to solar radiation the fresh snow/drifts will rapidly become moist, even at high altitudes. The snowpack is generally moist-to-wet, also rotten, depending on altitude.

Easter Sunday will be variably cloudy or bright but dependably dry. Harmless clouds will pass through, some peaks in the NW regions may become veiled, but other than that it will be sunny. Brisk to strong northerly winds will persist, gusts reaching 50-60 km/hr. At 2000 m: -5 degrees.

Easter Monday will begin with variably cloudy skies or bright, with sunshine. Clouds will rapidly move in from the northeast, become denser as the day progresses, peaks can become shrouded and reduce visibility. Brisk, cold N/NW winds. Avalanche danger will recede.