Hochschwab Mountains

Increasing avalanche danger from naturally triggered loose-snow avalanches. Heed drifts at high altitudes.

Increasing avalanche danger from naturally triggered loose-snow avalanches. Heed drifts at high altitudes.

Avalanche danger is initially low, rising to moderate in the morning. Due to increasing warmth and solar radiation, loose-snow avalanches can trigger naturally on steep rocky slopes esp. sunny aspects where snowfall has been heaviest. Generally, danger of wet-snow slides will increase at all altitudes. Possibility of glide-snow avalanches will increase on steep grass-covered slopes. Avoid zones below glide cracks. Trigger-prone snowdrift accumulations exist in steep terrain in extended east-facing terrain above 2000 m, behind discontinuities and in gullies, released m ostly small to medium slab avalanches.

On Monday night in the western Northern Alps and Niedere Tauern there was some fresh snowfall registered, mostly 20 cm in Dachstein region and Totes Gebirge. Depending on wind impact, the loose or bonded snow lay atop a variably hardened, often moist surface. Due to warmth and radiation the fresh fallen snow will become instable, esp. on sunny slopes, and forfeit its firmness and compactness through further moistening. In addition, gliding snow activity is increasing in the moist fundament over smooth ground. The snowdrift accumulations have weak layers: soft interim spots are trigger-prone, esp. on high-altitude shady slopes.On Tuesday night and during the day on Wednesday, high-pressure front conditions: cloudless skies. Some early morning fogbanks will quickly disperse. In afternoon, some high-altitude clouds. Winds will be light. At 2000 m: from +2 to +4 degrees; at 1500 m: from +5 to +7 degrees.

After scattered clouds, Thursday will then have overcast skies. In afternoon a cold front will bring brisker NW winds and some precipitation. The wet-snow problem will recede, fresh snowdrift accumulations will be generated at high altitudes.