Hochschwab Mountains

Daytime cycle of glide-snow and wet-snow avalanches, some fresh snowdrift accumulations at high altitudes.

Daytime cycle of glide-snow and wet-snow avalanches, some fresh snowdrift accumulations at high altitudes.

Avalanche danger is low in the morning, moderate starting at midday. Due to rainfall, the risk of naturally triggered glide-snow avalanches has increased on steep smooth grass-covered slopes, these can trigger at any time of day or night. Avoid zones below glide cracks. Combined with solar radiation, the steep slopes which have not yet discharged can trigger wet loose-snow slides. On very steep E/S facing slopes at high altitudes, isolated slabs cannot be ruled out (large additional loading).

Precipitation was initially rainfall on the weekend, destabilizing the snowpack somewhat. Atop the moist surface, fresh snow was later deposited, accompanied by stormy winds which generated fresh shallow drifts, initially well bonded with the old snowpack. Weak layers still exist deeper down in the snowpack: faceted crystals bordering on older melt-freeze crusts. Also inside the the thoroughly wet snowpack is a layer of depth hoar in the transition to the ground which is responsible for widespread glide-snow activity.

The brisk NW air current is weakening. On Monday, still moist air masses in Upper Styria. A high-pressure front will slowly gain the upper hand during the day. In the Northern Alps and on the northern flank of Niedere Tauern, the perturbance will persist with lots of cloud and fog, light snowfall above 1000 m. Further south the clouds will swiftly disperse, sunshine can then be expected. Starting at midday, more pleasant conditions also in the northern regions. Winds will remain stormy, particularly in the rimline ranges. At 2000 m: +1 degree; at 1500 m: +3 degrees. On Tuesday, sunny weather everywhere with very few clouds, a touch milder, and the winds will be lighter. Only from Hochschwab and eastwards will it remain stormy.

No change is expected. Caution: daytime danger cycle.