Hochschwab Mountains

Considerable avalanche danger at high altitudes

Considerable avalanche danger at high altitudes

Considerable avalanche danger prevails at high altitudes. Both older and fresher snowdrifts require high attentiveness. Avalanche prone locations are thus located mainly in N/E/S aspects in ridgeline terrain, gullies and bowls. A slab can be triggered by one sole skier. In regions where fresh snow has been heaviest, the drifts can release naturally in steep tererain. Poor visibility can be expected.

The fresh, lose snow which fell in low temperatures in the latter half of the week has been repeatedly transported by variable winds. More fresh snow (up to 20 cm, sometimes more) is expected amid wind impact, meaning snow transport is in the cards. Covered surface hoar, loose intermediate layers and transition zones to the melt-freeze encrusted old snowpack are the problems of the snowpack structure. The old snowpack itself is somewhat weakened by faceted crystals.

Monday will be gloomy with heavy, low lying clouds throughout Styria. Particularly in the northern barrier cloud regions (esp. Dachstein to Hochschwab region) can expect moderate but persistent snowfall. Poor visibility. Strong-to-stormy N/NW winds will be blowing. Temperature at 1500 m: -6 degrees; at 2000 m: -10 degrees.

On Tuesday conditions will improve. Residual cloud will disperse, sunshine will come to the fore. Still strong N/NE winds will be blowing. At 2000 m: -7 degrees. Snowdrift accumulations require high caution.