Hochschwab Mountains

Low avalanche danger but isolated avalanche prone locations at high altitudes due to snowdrifts in the Northern Alps

Low avalanche danger but isolated avalanche prone locations at high altitudes due to snowdrifts in the Northern Alps

Avalanche danger throughout Styria is low, isolated avalanche prone locations occur at high altitudes of the Dachstein and Totes Gebirge Massifs near ridgelines, at entry points into steep gullies and bowls and in general behind abrupt discontinuities in the terrain in isolated cases where small slab avalanches can be triggered in isolated cases. Attentiveness is required especially towards the snowdrift accumulations on shady slopes. Below 2000 m on steep grassy slopes in all aspects, naturally triggered avalanches can be expected. Open glide cracks are danger signals, avoid those zones.

In general, snow depths are extremely below average for this juncture of the season. The snowpack below 1700 m is incohesive. Up to over 2000 m the snowpack is at very least moist. Only at high altitudes is there a cohesive snowpack, and a stable snowpack fundament. Atop of this in Dachstein and Totes Gebirge Massifs, small snowdrift accumulations have been deposited., hardly any drifts occur further to the west and south. Particularly on high altitude shady slopes the drifts are poorly bonded with the old snowpack below. Below 2000 m the shallow snowpack on steep grassy slopes is gliding away.

Wednesday will start with sunny weather by and large, only in the Burktal Alps and southern Niedere Tauern are the peaks still wreathed in cloud, visibility reduced. During the morning, clouds will move across Styria, thereafter sunshine will reign. Moderate westerly winds. Temperatures are expected to rise. At 2000 m at midday: 0 degrees. On Thursday, mild, sunny weather conditions will continue.

The snowdrift problem is dissolving, some naturally triggered avalanches are possible for a brief spell due to higher temperatures in extremely steep rocky terrain. Small glide-snow avalanche activity will continue, but avalanches will be seldom. Unusually mild weather conditions will continue, not much precipitation, the snowpack will continue to recede and danger levels will remain low.