Hochschwab Mountains

Fresh snowfall plus wind = wide ranging snowdrift accumulations

Fresh snowfall plus wind = wide ranging snowdrift accumulations

Avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE above the treeline, MODERATE below that altitude. Gale-strength NW winds will generate snowdrifts in all aspects, these will grow in the afternoon hours as snowfall sets in. The snowdrifts are danger zones, can often be triggered even by minimum additional loading and unleash a slab.

On Monday night, 20-30 cm of snowfall expected, more from place to place. The fresh snow will be transported by gale-strength NW winds in all aspects, deposited as fresh, brittle drifts. Weak layers occur in the fresh drifts and in transitions to the old snowpack beneath them: soft layers with surface hoar or loose fresh snow. More deeply embedded in the snowpack are soft layers of faceted crystals bordering on melt-freeze crusts which weaken the snowpack but are unlikely to trigger except in isolated cases.

Along the northern flank of the Alps, snowfall until Tuesday morning, then it will ease. Focal point is from the Dachstein over Totes Gebirge, Ennstal Alps all the way to Hochschwab,, where 20-30 cm is expected widespread, more from place to place. Stormy NW winds will transport the fresh snow. Winds will slacken off somewhat but remain strong. At 2000 m: -9 degreres. On Tuesday evening the snowfall will intensify again. On Wednesday, variable conditions, often stormy winds. Particularly on the northern flank of the Alps, heavy cloud cover, some snow showers. Strong-to-stormy NW winds.

Fresh snow plus stormy NW winds = a further increase in avalanche danger levels.