Hochschwab Mountains

Increase in avalanche danger during the day changes

Increase in avalanche danger during the day changes

The avalanche risk is low in the morning hours and increases to moderate during the daytime changes. There is a danger of wet loose snow and slab avalanches from undischarged terrain as incoming radiation and warming increase. These can release themselves or be triggered by a small additional load from people and are usually small to medium-sized. Avalanches can reach areas that are already snowed out.

The snowpack can consolidate on a clear night. A surface crust forms on the surface. However, it quickly softens again with sunlight and warming. In shady, higher areas, there are large crystals in the lower snow layering in some places, which act as a possible weak layer. The deglaciation is progressing rapidly.

The evening and night on Friday will be clear. An area of high pressure has spread to the eastern Alps and sunshine will dominate with mostly cloudless skies. The wind will weaken during the daytime changes. Only in exposed locations in the north-east can winds of around 60 km/h still be expected in the morning. Temperatures will rise at all altitudes and will be around +2 degrees in the east and +5 degrees in the west at 2000 metres in the afternoon.

The sunny and mild high-pressure weather will continue on Saturday and Sunday. On Sunday, the north-westerly wind will pick up again on the eastern edge of the Alps. With the increasing warming and sunshine, the activity of wet snow avalanches will increase again.