Hochschwab Mountains

Snowdrift accumulations at high altitudes and wet-snow problem: Caution!

Snowdrift accumulations at high altitudes and wet-snow problem: Caution!

Along the northern flank of the Tauern and in the Northern Alps a snowdrift problem will be generated by the rising southerly foehn wind, danger zones will increase with ascending altitude. Particularly the NW/E facing slopes are struck. Attention is focused on trigger-sensitive snowdrifts behind abrupt drops in the terrain and in gullies and bowls. On steep grassy slopes where snow is sufficient, naturally triggered glide-snow slides can be expected.

Due to dropping temperatures the snowpack was able to regain some firmness (after moistening from recent rainfall). The melt-freeze encrusted surface will get a shallow layer on top of it which moderate winds will use to generate fresh snowdrift accumulations. At intermediate and lower altitudes the snow fell on bare ground.

The high/low pressure front on Thursday will deliver unstable weather conditions. In the Northern Alps, intermittent snowfall will taper off in the morning, southerly foehn will then disperse the clouds. From Niedere Tauern over Gurktal and Seetal Alps as far as Koralpe, clouds will accumulate, some rainfall and snowfall are possible, snowfall level will rise to 1500 m during the daytime. Winds will be moderate from S/SE. At 2000 m: -1 degree; at 1500 m: +4 degrees. On Friday, these conditions will continue amid slightly rising temperatures.

Still little change in avalanche danger levels