Hochschwab Mountains

Low avalanche danger, still isolated avalanche prone locations in shady zones

Low avalanche danger, still isolated avalanche prone locations in shady zones

In the eastern sector of the Northern Alps, moderate danger prevails, due to fresh, brittle snowdrifts which since Monday have been deposited on steep south-facing slopes, particularly in ridgeline terrain down to the treeline. A slab behind protruberances and at entries into gullies and bowls can generally be triggered by minimum additional loading. A cautious route selection can avoid the avalanche prone locations. Avoid zones below glide cracks, due to possible gliding of the entire snowpack. The loose powder cannot bond well with the melt-freeze crusts and icy layer beneath it, thus, there is high risk of falling on very steep slopes.

Over the last few days the powdery snow on north-facing slopes and some fresh snow have been transported by northerly winds. In leeward terrain small snowdrifts have accumulated, some deposited atop surface hoar or faceted crystals, and therefore instable. Elsewhere the snowpack on sunny slopes is well consolidated. On shady slopes there is powder which blankets older snowdrift accumulations which themselves lie atop melt-freeze crusts and faceted crystals. The faceted layers are unlikely to trigger. Beneath them is a compact old snowpack. Summit zones are often windblown, icy or have only a shallow layer of snow. On sunny slopes the gliding movement of the snowpack is increasing. Glide-cracks are bellwethers of imminent danger.

A pronounced high-pressure front over Central Europe is the force behind our weather: tranquil, mild and sunny. Styria lies at its eastern edge, thus intermediate-altitude clouds can be expected in the rimline ranges, these will disperse in the course of the morning. By midday, sunshine is expected throughout the mountains. The NE winds will be light, brisker later in the day. Temperatures at midday at 2000 m will be -8 degrees; at 1500 m: -4 degrees; Ennstal massif and Ausseer Landes will be milder, due to foehn influence: -3 to 0 degrees. Saturday will be quite sunny, somewhat milder, but brisk SE winds in the eastern sector of the Northern Alps will presist. The stable winter weather will probably endure until mid-week.

Avalanche danger is expected to remain unchanged.