Hochschwab Mountains

Note the persistent weak layer problem in the extended northern sector!

Note the persistent weak layer problem in the extended northern sector!

The avalanche risk is low. Nevertheless, there is still a persistent weak layer problem in the extended northern sector. Occasionally, mainly in very steep gullies and bowls, slab avalanches can be triggered by people. The avalanche prone locations are usually difficult to recognise and are often located in transition areas from a little to a lot of snow. On the sunny slopes, the softened, barely stabilised snowpack can trigger small wet snow avalanches.

Due to a lack of outgoing longwave radiation, the snowpack hardly gains any firmness, so that it quickly becomes damp or wet up to the higher elevations. On shady slopes at higher altitudes, there are still areas with a soft (faceted) snow surface, but often the surface is already hard. Below this, there are still isolated, accessible weak layers in the form of faceted crystals in the area of crusts or frost that is still snowed in. In addition, the foundation consisting of floating snow (deep rime) is still weakening the snowpack (partly also on the south side). Medium (sunny slopes) and low altitudes are largely free of snow.

In the night to Monday, clouds will increase at high and medium-high levels, higher mountains in the northern Alps and the Niedere Tauern may become foggy in the morning. The southerly wind will become stronger. During the day, a small-scale low-altitude low will provide plenty of clouds and hardly any sunshine. Most peaks will remain clear, but the higher mountains of the Niedere Tauern may be covered in fog. There will be no precipitation. Temperatures will drop slightly to between 0 and +3 degrees at 2000 metres above sea level and +4 degrees at 1500 metres above sea level. Moderate to strong winds from southerly directions, especially in the Niedere Tauern.