Hochschwab Mountains

Quite isolated ridgeline snowdrift patches, naturally triggered glide-snow avalanches in steep terrain

Quite isolated ridgeline snowdrift patches, naturally triggered glide-snow avalanches in steep terrain

From Hochschwab to Rax, low avalanche danger. On steep slopes in all aspects, naturally triggered glide-snow/wet-snow avalanches can be expected, most releases medium-sized. Open glide cracks are indicators of imminent danger. In addition, at high altitudes in extended east-facing terrain behind discontinuities there are snowdrift accumulations which in places can be triggered by 1 person, releases reaching medium-to-large size.

At high altitudes, isolated older snowdrift patches were generated by minor fresh snow and moderate W/NW winds, the drifts have not yet bonded with the snowpack surface. Windblown slopes and crests are often hard or icy, such danger zones are especially risky for falling. At intermediate and lower altitudes the snowpack is very moist-to-wet due to rain impact, can glide over smooth ground. An area-wide snowpack begins only above the treeline.

A cold front from the northwest will traverse the Eastern Alps on Saturday, bringing variable conditions to Styria. Clouds will veil the peaks in fog, some precipitation is expected, snowfall level in the Northern Alps at 2000 m, on the southern flank of the Alps at 2200 m. Weather will improve in the afternoon. The NW winds along the Niedere Tauern to the eastern Northern Alps will be moderate. At 2000 m: +1 degree; at 1500 m: +4 degrees (in the south +3 and +7 degrees). On Sunday in the wake of the withdrawing cold front, dry air masses will move in. From the west, clouds will disperse, final showers are possible in NE Upper Styria. Winds will weaken. Temperatures will drop slightly.

The snowdrift problem will recede. The gliding snow problem will persist.