Hochschwab Mountains

Increasing avalanche danger due to fresh snowdrifts

Increasing avalanche danger due to fresh snowdrifts

New snow (appx. 10cm) and stormy winds led to fresh and instable snowdrifts accumulating on southern and eastern slopes on Monday. Avalanche prone locations which can often be triggered as slabs by low additional loading are located on leeward slopes behind protruberances, on steep slopes and at entries into gullies and bowls. Triggered avalanches are usually Size 2. On high altitude slopes in northern aspects and shady terrain (e.g. gullies) slabs can be triggered due to the persistent weak layer. Caution also urged towards the danger of falling on the icy surfaces.

At high altitudes at hard / icy surface has formed atop which the fresh snowdrifts are being deposited. Beneath it the snowpack fundament is compact, has few weak layers which are relevant. Above the treeline on shady slopes the process of expansive metamorphosis is continuing, the snowpack evidences increasingly frequently faceted crystals, is forfeiting its firmness and losing its hold.

On Tuesday, splendid sunny and cold mountain weather awaits us. The dry, cold air masses permit outstanding visibility. The W/NW winds will be light to moderate. At 2000m: -9 degrees; at 1500 m: -6 degrees. On Wednesday it will remain sunny and temperatures will rise a tad.

Avalanche danger will decrease somewhat.