Hochschwab Mountains

Danger of glide-snow/wet-snow avalanches predominant at high altitude

Danger of glide-snow/wet-snow avalanches predominant at high altitude

Avalanche danger at high altitude is still moderate, avalanches cannot be excluded from starting zones which have not yet discharged (esp. grass-covered steep terrain in all aspects) and glide-snow avalanches are still possible. Avoid the danger zones: indicated by glide cracks. On steep sunny slopes the loss of firmness is increasing. Loose-snow avalanches in steep rocky terrain can trigger naturally, esp. where recent snowfall has been heaviest between Dachstein and Totes Gebirge.

Due to solar radiation and warmth on Wednesday, the snowpack surface has become quite moist. Also the fundament is generally isotherm, thus losing its firmness increasingly. At night the temperatures drop, at high altitudes a melt-freeze crust forms, then softens in the morning, and re-forms again.

High-pressure front conditions are coming to an end. On Wednesday night a perturbance will reach our region. In early morning, still scattered clouds, then heavier cloud cover later on and a cold front. Rainfall/snowfall widespread in the afternoon, snowfall level dropping from 1800 m down to 1600 m. At 2000 m. +2 degrees; at 1500 m: +7 degrees. By evening, temperatures will drop another 3 degrees. The W/NW winds will intensify in the latter part of the day. After renewed influence of an intermediate high on Friday, Saturday will bring a new cold front and noticeably cooler weather. On Palm Sunday, snowfall throughout the land, snowfall level at 700 m.

To begin with, no change in avalanche danger levels