Hochschwab Mountains

Caution urged towards fresh drifts at high altitudes. Wet loose-snow slides possible in steep terrain.

Caution urged towards fresh drifts at high altitudes. Wet loose-snow slides possible in steep terrain.

Avalanche over widespread areas is LOW, above 2000 m MODERATE. Avalanche prone locations are found mainly at high altitudes. In steep gullies and bowls on N/E/SW facing slopes and behind abrupt discontinuities in the terrain, fresh and small snowdrifts can be triggered by large additional loading, sometimes by minimum additional loading. On shady slopes, furthermore, weak layers in the old snow can be triggered by large additional loading. In extremely steep terrain where there is sufficient snow, isolated small wet slides and loose-snow avalanches can be triggered. On steep grass-covered slopes, the first glide cracks have been sighted - these are indicators of danger.

At high altitudes of the Northern Alps there has been about 10 cm of fresh snow registered, lower down it rained. The snow was transported by westerly winds. Snow depths are highly varied. Below 1700 m the snowpack is incohesive. Only at high altitudes is there an area-wide mostly stable snow cover fundament, isolated weak layers are still evident inside the snowpack. Above about 2000 m, fresh snowdrifts lie deposited atop the compact old snowpack. Below 2000 m, the snowpack is becoming increasingly wet. On steep grass-covered slopes the first glide-cracks have been sighted. Below 2000 m the snowpack has begun to glide away.

Christmas Day, Sunday, will beging with residual cloud, a bit of rainfall, snowfall above 1800 m. South of the Main Alpine Ridge (and later also north of it) - sunshine, only a few high altitude cirrus clouds. Residual cloud will disperse in the valleys. Wind will be light from the west. At 2000m: +4 degrees at midday, then rising further. On Boxing Day, Monday, fine friendly sunny weather, also mild. In the evening a weak cold front will reach us from the NW, but not bring much snowfall.

Wet loose-snow avalanches released during the rainfall, the wet-snow problem will now decrease. Also the snowdrifts at high altitudes have stabilised due to the high temperatures. In isolated cases, glide-snow avalanches are possible