Hochschwab Mountains

Still persistent weak layer in shady places at high altitudes

On Sunday, sunshine. From Gurktal Alps, heavy clouds will move in and during the afternoon, also clouds will move in from the Ausseerland. At 2000 m: dropping to 0 degrees. During the night, clouds will increase due to a cold front and in southwestern regions light snowfall is possible. Avalanche danger levels are not expected to change significantly.

Still persistent weak layer in shady places at high altitudes

Avalanche danger is low. Fresh snowdrift accumlulations have swiftly settled and stabilised, but there are still isolated danger zones due to the persistent weak layer. Faceted weak layers can fracture most likely on shady high altitude slopes. Due to the shallow snow depths and melt-freeze encrusted, icy surfaces the risks of taking a fall need much attentiveness.

The thin fresh snow has settled quickly, bonded to the old snow. As a result of the rain, snow beneath the snowfall level has become moist and melt-freeze encrusted. Atop embedded melt-freeze crusts there are faceted crystals which form a potential weak layer, most pronounced in shady high-altitude terrain. Otherwise the snow depths are extremely below average. In icy ridgeline and summit zones there is a higher risk of taking a fall.

On Saturday, fogbanks can form, but the sunshine will quickly reign and only thin cloudbanks will pass through. Winds will be southwesterly, blowing at light to moderate strength, also at brisk velocity from the Gurktal Alps to the Koralm-Speick starting at midday. Very mild: 4-7 degrees at 2000 m.