Hochschwab Mountains

Beware trigger-sensitive snowdrifts

Beware trigger-sensitive snowdrifts

Above the treeline avalanche danger is considerate. Danger zones occur with the freshly generated snowdrift accumulations, esp. in extended S/E facing terrain, where 1 person can trigger an avalanche, especially in gullies, bowls, behind protruberances, medium-sized slab avalanches can be triggered by 1 person. Danger zones increase with ascending altitude. The gliding snow problem is receding. On very steep grass-covered slopes or smooth rocks, isolated glide-snow avalanches can release in all aspects. Avoid zones below glide cracks.

Over the last 48 hours there has been 20-40 cm of fresh snow registered, most of it accompanied by strong wind impact, generating trigger-sensitive snowdrift accumulations on melt-freeze encrusted snowpack surfaces. Weak layers lurk inside the snowdrifts and soft layers in the form of faceted crystals, esp. in transitions to the old snow. At intermediate altitudes the drifts are better bonded with the old snowpack.Due to rain impact the snowpack is often wet at intermediate altitudes, can glide over the ground on very steep slopes.

On Saturday in the Northern Alps, gray skies, heavy cloud cover, many peaks veiled in fog, occasional light snowfall, soon tapering off. In the afternoon, bright, sunny intervals will become more frequent. In the rimline ranges, brilliant sunshine after the fog has dispersed. The NW winds will slacken off but still be brisk in exposed terrain. At 2000 m: -7 degrees at midday, temperatures rising in the evening.

High-pressure front effects on Sunday will create mostly sunny weather, mild temperatures at all altitudes. The snowdrift problem will recede, the wet-snow problem will be at the forefront in regions where fresh snow is ample.