Hochschwab Mountains

Snowdrift problem

Snowdrift problem

Avalanche danger above 1800 m is moderate, at low altitudes danger is low. Danger zones are the snowdrift accumulations in extended eastern aspects where in some places behind discontinuities and on leeward slopes (also distant from ridges) slab avalanches can be triggered by one person. Windblown exposed surfaces are often hard and icy, acute danger of falling. In addition, isolated gliding snow activity and glide-snow avalanches can’t be excluded.

The fresh snow from Thursday was transported by stormy NW winds, fresh drifts have accumulated above the treeline on east-facing slopes, bonding is poor with ascending altitude. In Niedere Tauern, rainfall up to 1800 m, water seepage channels have formed. At low and intermediate altitudes the moistened snow has settled, a melt-freeze crust has formed. The fundament is still stable. On sunny slopes the snowpack is moist down to the ground and glides over smooth terrain.

A cold front will move into Styria in the evening hours, heavy rainfall in Upper Styria for a few hours, with brisk-to-stormy winds, snowfall level dropping to below 1000 m by midnight. Barrier clouds will gather by morning on the northern flank of the Alps, thereafter it will rapidly turn sunny. On the southern flank of the Alps, cloudless skies from the start. The NW winds will be brisk to stormy, on the eastern rim of the Alps gusts over 100 km/hr can be expected. At 2000 m: -7 degrees, the wind making it feel even colder.

On Sunday, sunny and mild, hardly any wind, diminishing avalanche danger.