Hochschwab Mountains

Moderate danger due to naturally triggered glide-snow avalanches continues

Moderate danger due to naturally triggered glide-snow avalanches continues

Avalanche danger is moderate at all altitudes due to naturally triggered glide-snow avalanches. In all aspects on steep grass-covered slopes and in forest clearances, glide-snow and wet-snow avalanches can be expected, esp. in afternoon on south-facing slopes, which can in isolated cases place exposed transportation routes at risk. Open glide cracks are indicators of danger, zones near them should be avoided.

Very irregular snow distribution. Whereas NW-facing slopes and exposed zones are often bare of snow, grass-covered wind-loaded slopes and gullies are filled to the brim. The snowpack is compact, without marked weak layers. Below 2000 m the snowpack is nearly isotherm, the ground is often wet. The snowpack is gliding downhill over smooth ground. The snowpack surface below 2000 m is often riddled with water seepage channels (highly unpleasant for skiers), at high altitudes frozen and capable of bearing loads but on sunny slopes softening during daytime hours.

The weekend of New Year’s Eve will start out cooler, but still too mild for the season. At 2000 m: -3 degrees. Along the northern and eastern rims of the Alps, initially strong westerly winds, slackening off later in the day. Sunny by and large, but with residual clouds, In Niedere Tauern and southwards only moderate NW winds, milder and mostly sunny.

On New Year’s Eve it will be warmer, the airstream will shift to southwesterly. In the Northern Alps it will remain sunny and mild, but clouds will move in from the south brining stormy SW winds to the southern and eastern mountain ranges. Avalanche danger levels are not expected to change significantly.