Hochschwab Mountains

Moderate avalanche danger in all aspects above the treeline due to snowdrifts

Moderate avalanche danger in all aspects above the treeline due to snowdrifts

In northern and western ranges of Styria, moderate avalanche danger prevails above the timberline. In some danger zones, slabs can be triggered through addition loading. These avalanche prone locations are found behind abrupt discontinuities in the terrain and at the entries into gullies and bowls in all aspects. Due to the persistent weak layer there are also additional isolated danger zones on steep north-facing slopes which (unlike the problem with snowdrifts) are very difficult to recognize.

The snowpack fundament is still shallow, often fragmented but relatively instable due to a sequence of melt-freeze crusts and soft layers with faceted crystals (persistent weak layer). In some places, surface hoar has formed. Below about 1500 m there is still no cohesive, area-wide snowpack in the northern regions of Styria. Since Friday, 20 to 40 cm of cold fresh snow has been registered, transported by strong N/SW winds into gullies, bowls and to the edges of forests and, in generaly, onto east-facing and south-facing slopes. Since Wednesday, in addition, north-facing slopes have also had snowdrifts deposited on them. In many places, there is unbonded powder snow. Exposed zones are totally blown bare.

On Wednesday, skies in Styria will be largely overcast, sunshine is possible only in the south. But there will be no precipitation. Cloud level is mostly above the summits, thus, visibility will be good. Temperatures at 2000 m will rise from -10 in early morning to +1 in the afternoon, warmth arriving earlier in the west than in the east. Winds in the western regions will be moderate, in the eastern regions strong, from south to southwest. On Thursday, mild, with strong westerly winds in northern regions of Styria, perhaps a bit of snowfall. On Friday, the next perturbance will reach us, bringing lower temperatures and fresh snow in the northern barrier cloud regions.

The higher temperatures will lead, for a brief time, to small naturally triggered avalanches and fracturing cornices. The snowdrift problem will recede.