Hochschwab Mountains

Snowdrift accumulations prone to triggering esp.in E/S aspects, also distant from ridges behind protruberances and in gullies/bowls

Snowdrift accumulations prone to triggering esp.in E/S aspects, also distant from ridges behind protruberances and in gullies/bowls

Avalanche danger above the treeline is moderate. Avalanche prone locations are the freshly generated, trigger-sensitive snowdrift accumulations, particularly on east-to-south facing slopes behind protruberances and in gullies, bowls. In these places a medium-sized slab avalanche can be triggered by one sole skier. Due to solar radiation in the sunny regions where recent snowfall has been heaviest on the Main Alpine Ridge and northwards therefrom, a daytime cycle of danger for moist loose-snow avalanches prevails for a brief time. Near summits the surface is hard/icy. Beware: danger of falling.

Atop a compact old snowpack fundament topped by a melt-freeze crust (moist, frozen snow from last Thursday), yet already quite moist in the deeper layers, 10-30 cm of cold fresh snow fell on Wednesday night. The strong to stormy winds transported the fresh snow, snowdrift accumulations were generated. Bonding to the softer layers and the melt-freeze crusts directly beneath them is poor. Exposed summit and entry zones, on the other hand, are utterly windblown, hard, icy.

From the west, dry and much milder air masses are moving towards the Eastern Alps. On Monday on the northern flank of the Alps, an intermediate high-pressure front will have a weak effect, while the southern regions are still under the influence of a weak low. Along the Northern Alps and the northern flank of the Tauern, skies will clear tonight, the sun will be evident from early morning. On the southern flank of the Alps, cloud will be more tenacious, only in the course of the morning will they begin to disperse, latest in the Gurktaler Alps region. Winds will be westerly, blowing at light to moderate strength. Temperatures will rise noticeably. At midday at 2000 m: -5 degrees, at 1500 m 0 degrees. On Monday night a frontal zone will reach us, dominated by lots of clouds, very little sunshine, strong winds. Occasional minor precipitation is expected, falling as snow above 1500 m.

Avalanche danger will gradually recede.