Hochschwab Mountains

Caution in ridgeline terrain - Fresh snow

Caution in ridgeline terrain - Fresh snow

Avalanche danger has risen to considerable at high altitudes, where risks of slab avalanches require attentiveness: the weight one one single person can trigger one. Danger zones occur mostly on E/S facing slopes. In rocky terrain, increasingly frequent naturally triggered loose-snow avalanches can be expected. At intermediate altitudes and were the slopes previously were bare, the fresh fallen snow can slide away as glide-snow avalanches or wet loose-snow avalanches and place exposed transportation routes at risk. Poor visibility makes assessing the dangers difficult on-site.

Over the last 24 hours there has been 15-35 cm of fresh snow registered, focal point was the Dachstein and Hochschwab regions. In the Niedere Tauern there was less. The fresh snow fell also on bare ground, atop a wet old snowpack surface and on melt-freeze crusts. The fundament is stable. Bonding of fresh snow and drifts to the old snowpack is not adequate.

On Friday the summits will still be shrouded in heavy cloud, visibility much reduced. The northerly air current will accumulate clouds along the Main Alpine Ridge, persistent and heavy snowfall can be expected. Much more than 50 cm of fresh snow is anticipated, snowfall level at 700 m. Also brisk winds which will transport the fresh fallen snow. Further south, only intermittent snowfall, far less is expected. At 2000 m: -5 degrees at midday.

On Saturday, heavy cloud, occasional light snowfall, particularly during the afternoon. Snowfall level 1000-1600 m. Winds will be westerly, blowing at moderate strength. Considerable danger will persist. At intermediate altitudes the danger of wet-snow avalanches will increase.