Hochschwab Mountains

At high altitudes: snowdrifts! At low and intermediate altitudes: wet-snow problem.

At high altitudes: snowdrifts! At low and intermediate altitudes: wet-snow problem.

In the Northern Alps and Niedere Tauern, a daytime cycle of avalanche danger prevails. Due to daytime warming, naturally triggered wet-snow avalanches can release. In backcountry touring regions the freshly generated snowdrifts on east-facing slopes require attentiveness, even minimum additional loading can trigger a slab at high altitudes. Caution urged behind protruberances, where there are snowdrifts.

In the Northern Alps and Niedere Tauern there was rainfall up to 1800 m. The snowpack was moistened and became wet in Totes Gebirge. Above 2000 m, there was 10-20 cm of fresh snow registered, which fell moistly. Bonding of moist layers of fresh snow to the old snowpack is inadequate and prone to triggering. At intermediate altitudes the snow is wet and, in some cases, rotten.

High-pressure front conditions on Thursday will bring sunshine. Low lying residual cloud will disperse quickly in the morning, but pure sunshine will be impeded by Sahara dust. Winds will shift to southerly, be blowing at light to moderate strength. At 2000 m: 2-5 degrees at midday. On Friday, some cloudbanks will move in due to NE winds, but the peaks should remain free. No precipitation is anticipated. Temperatures will drop slightly.

The avalanche situation will relax a tad.