Hochschwab Mountains

Snowdrifts + persistent weak layer

Snowdrifts + persistent weak layer

Avalanche prone locations where large additional loading can trigger a slab are located on steep wind-loaded slopes esp. in NW/E/SE ridgeline slopes above 1800 m. The easily recognized snowpack patches are prone to triggering and can force a fall. Aside from that there are few avalanche prone locations where large additional loading can trigger a slab release in the old snow, most likely on extremely steep and shallow-snow slopes above about 1900 m in E/N aspects. Shallow-snow and extremely steep slopes, especially near ridgelines, should be assessed critically or better still, circumvented.

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. Exception: shady, high-altitude slopes., where the process of expansive metamorphosis is continuing, the snowpack evidences increasingly frequently faceted crystals, is forfeiting its firmness and losing its base. At low altitudes the snowpack is moist-to-wet and on the surface has thin crusts at most.

The Eastern Alps are in the grips of a westerly, relatively mild high-altitude air current. Perturbances from the northeast and from the Mediterranean will bring instable conditions. On Boxing Day the higher summits will disappear in heavy cloud intermittently, some precipitation is expected. The snowfall level in the eastern massifs will descend to valley floors. Temperatures at midday in western regions: at 2000 m -1 degree, at 1500 m +2 degrees; in eastern regions -2 and -2 degrees. Winds will be light-to-moderate from the southwest at high altitudes, from east-to-southeast at lower altitudes. On Monday the clouds will disperse from the west and it will turn increasingly sunny. Light winds. Temperatures will remain unchanged.

No significant change in avalanche danger is expected.