Hochschwab Mountains

Low danger - shallow snowdrift patches above the timberline

Low danger - shallow snowdrift patches above the timberline

Avalanche danger is LOW. This snowdrift patches are being generated on N/E facing slopes above the treeline, in isolated cases they can be triggered by minimum additional loading, but the releases remain small-sized. From zones which have not yet discharged, small wet loose-snow avalanches are possible. On shady slopes at high altitudes, the dangers of taking a fall on the icy surfaces require attentiveness.

Over the last few days the snowpack has become moist up to high altitudes, at ground level it is moist-to-wet. In general, the old snowpack is quite stable. Weak layers inside the older snowdrift accumulations and in transitions to the old snowpack are in the interim mostly reduced, not likely to trigger expect in isolated cases in shady high altitude terrain. Fresh snowdrifts generated on Tuesday are bonding well with the existing moist snowpack, trigger-sensitive weak layers still can exist inside the snowpack however. At intermediate altitudes the snowpack is thoroughly wet, the rain softens it still further and makes it lose stability. The gliding of the snowpack over smooth slopes is increasing. Snow depths are so minimal, however, that large releases are not possible. At low altitudes the snowpack is fragmented. In the Graz mountains there is little snow on the ground.

On Tuesday, the peaks in Styria’s mountans will be veiled in cloud, rainfall and snowfall set in from the west in the morning and spread to all regions. The snowfall level will be between 1600m (Dachstein) and 2000 m (Koralpe) in the morning, then descend to 1000 m-1500m. Above the timberline from Dachstein and Totes Gebirge to Niedere Tauern, 10 cm of fresh snow is anticipated, elsewhere only a bit. Winds near the Koralpe will be stormy from the southwest until midday, elsewhere mostly moderate from W/SW. At 2000 m: 0 degrees. Winds will shift in the evening to NW and temperatures will drop further.

Little change is expected. As temperatures drop, wet-snow problems will recede. Weak layers inside the snowpacks will persist.