Hochschwab Mountains

Be careful on very steep slopes in the touring area - persistent weak layer problem!

Be careful on very steep slopes in the touring area - persistent weak layer problem!

The avalanche danger is assessed as considerable (level 3) from 1800 metres. It will remain very mild during the night and spontaneous avalanches are still possible in the early morning from avalanche paths that have not yet been discharged. The avalanches can tear through to the ground in the northern sector (documented avalanches on Wednesday impressively demonstrated the situation). In the touring area, releases are possible in very steep gullies and bowls on the shady slopes with little additional load. Medium to large gliding avalanches can slide from grass mats at any time.

The warming has already allowed the snowpack to settle a little. Due to the mild temperatures and solar radiation, the snowpack is rapidly losing its firmness. On the northern slopes, the kinetic metamorphism (cup crystals in the snow layer close to the ground!) continues to weaken the snowpack.

On the mountains, the night will be clear and mostly frost-free. The north-westerly wind will weaken. Thursday will continue with clear weather. The sun will shine, but it will be slightly clouded by high cloud fields. In the morning, high fog may accumulate below an altitude of 1000 metres in the peripheral mountains.

Continuation of high pressure weather with a frost line at an altitude of 2700 metres. Daytime changes in avalanche danger are expected.