Hochschwab Mountains

Fresh wind slab, considerable avalanche danger!

Fresh wind slab, considerable avalanche danger!

The avalanche danger above 1500 metres is rated as "considerable". New fallen snow and persistent wind lead to extensive snowdrift accumulations. These are prone to triggering, especially above the tree line. The avalanche prone locations are adjacent to ridgelines and distant from ridgelines. They are mainly located in gullies, bowls and behind terrain edges down to forest aisles. Aspects from east to south to south-west are particularly affected. The drift snow layer can be triggered by individual winter sports enthusiasts, usually in the form of medium-sized avalanches. Naturally triggered avalanches are also possible in isolated cases.

A lot of snow has fallen in the last few days. Up to 40 cm of new or wind slab snow will be added on Tuesday. The snowdrift accumulations are deposited on a mostly stable old snowpack. There are weak layers in the drift snow and occasionally, in shady high altitudes, also in the snow base, fundament (persistent weak layer problem).

It will snow in the northern Alps and from the Schladminger to the Wölzer Tauern during the night and Tuesday with strong winds. Most new fallen snow, up to 40 cm, is expected in the Dachstein region and in the Totes Gebirge. The snowfall level will start at around 600 metres and then drop down to the valleys. The peaks are often in the clouds and visibility is poor. The temperature at 2000 metres above sea level is around -7 degrees. The wind blows briskly, in the Hochschwab region also strongly, from north-west to north.

On Wednesday, the wind will shift to the north-east. Mostly clouds, but no more new fallen snow. The wind slab problem remains.