Hochschwab Mountains

Persistent weak layer on east-facing slopes

Persistent weak layer on east-facing slopes

No significant change in avalanche danger. Above the treeline moderate danger prevails. Avalanche prone locations occur in E/N aspects. Slab avalanches can be triggered by large additional loading, particularly ridge areas, protruberances and entries into gullies and bowls need to be assessed with great caution. On sunny slopes, wet loose-snow avalanches (size 2) can release in steep rough and rocky terrain during the course of the day.

Older snowdrift accumulations have been deposited atop a melt-freeze encrusted old snowpack. In transition zones to the old snow a weak layer was generated in places (faceted crystals). In Niedere Tauern the snowdrifts lie atop a compact old snowpack. On shady slopes, faceted crystals weaken the structuring. On sunny slopes the snowpack has been able to settle, a melt-freeze crust has formed (not capable of bearing loads). In shady forest lanes the snow is flaky and unbonded. On sunny slopes and at lower altitude the fundament is largely stable.

Ash Wednesday will bring brilliant sunshine to start with. In the afternoon, high and intermediate altitude clouds will move in from the west. The peaks will mostly remain free. Winds will be from the northwest, blowing at moderate to brisk strength. At 2000 m at midday: -6 to -3 degrees. After a sunny start, Thursday will bring in clouds, some peaks will disappear in fog but it will remain free of precipitation.

The snowdrift problem is beginning to lose its edge.