Hochschwab Mountains

Caution urged towards snowdrifts in E/S aspects

Caution urged towards snowdrifts in E/S aspects

Moderate avalanche danger prevails at high altitudes. Danger zones are freshly generated snowdrift accumulations in E/S aspects where slab avalanches can be triggered even by the weight of one sole skier. In addition, snowdrifts in all aspects are often poorly bonded with the old snow, particularly the transition zones from shallow to deep snow are endangered in this respect and should be avoided. At lower altitudes the snowpack is generally stable due to the recent shift in temperatures.

The precipitation of recent days has brought up to 50 cm of fresh snow to higher altitudes in the Northern Alps. The new snow was deposited atop a melt-freeze encrusted old snowpack surface. Due to varying wind directions, wide ranging snowdrifts were accumulated in all aspects, most recently in E/S aspects. Bonding of drifts to the old snowpack surface is generally adequate, on shady slopes in transitions to the old snowpack weak laysers are evident. These weak layers have faceted crystals in the fundament (persistent weak layer). In addition, the fresh snowdrifts in E/S aspects can be instable. At lower altitudes a melt-freeze crust has formed.

On the northern flank of the Alps, many peaks are shrouded in clouds, visibility is often reduced. Snowfall is possible all day long, focal point in the Dachstein and Totes Gebirge (20 cm). Again, strong, cold N/NW winds. Temperature at 2000 m: -10 degrees.

On Sunday, weather conditions will improve, but it will remain relatively cold and windy. Avalanche danger is not expected to change signficantly.