Hochschwab Mountains

Latent persistent weak layer problem, slightly increasing wet snow problem

Latent persistent weak layer problem, slightly increasing wet snow problem

The avalanche risk is low. Nevertheless, there is still a persistent weak layer problem in the extended northern sector. Occasionally, mainly in very steep gullies and bowls, slab avalanches can be triggered by people. The avalanche prone locations are usually difficult to recognise and are often located in transition areas from a little to a lot of snow. On sunny slopes, incoming radiation increases the probability of triggering small wet snow avalanches. In steep terrain, there is a risk of falling on the hard snow surface.

With outgoing longwave radiation, a melt-freeze crust can form, which softens on the sunny slopes during the day with increasing moisture penetration. On shady slopes at higher altitudes, there are still isolated areas with a soft (faceted) snow surface, where the firmness of the layer changes depending on altitude and exposure. Below this there is an increasingly sufficiently settled and compact snowpack, the transition to the foundation consisting of deep rime (floating snow) is still poor. Medium and low altitudes are often free of snow.

The night will often be clear in the east of the country, but low clouds will push over Turrach, Niedere Tauern and Seetaler Alpe from the south-west in the second half of the night. On Saturday, a brisk south-westerly wind will blow in places. Sunshine will predominate, with low-lying residual clouds in the west of the country clearing in the morning. In the afternoon, it will be partly cloudy, with occasional denser clouds. There will be no precipitation. It will be mild at high altitudes. At 1500 metres it will be +5 degrees.

On Sunday, the sun will often shine, especially on the southern side of the Alps, while there will be more clouds to the north of the main Alpine ridge. Local showers are to be expected in the afternoon. Little change in the avalanche danger.