Hochschwab Mountains

Trigger-sensitive snowdrifts above the timberline: moderate avalanche danger

Trigger-sensitive snowdrifts above the timberline: moderate avalanche danger

Above the timberline, moderate avalanche danger prevails, below that altitude danger is low. Avalanche prone locations are primarily created by snowdrift masses on east and south-facing slopes, where small-to-medium sized avalanches can be triggered even by minimum additional loadint. In addition, in all high altitude aspects there is a persistent weak layer of faceted crystals bordering on melt-freeze crusts deeply embedded inside the snowpack. Large-sized avalanches can be triggered by releasing this part of the snowpack.

A small amount of fresh snow amid strong N/NW winds has generated fresh snowpack masses on east and south-facing slopes. These lie deposited atop surface hoar, which weakens the snowpack, but generally large additional loading is required to trigger an avalanche.

On Saturday, it will remain cold and wintery: -10 to -12 degrees at 2000m plus strong N/NW winds. South of the Main Alpine Ridge, clouds will disperse and a bit of sunshine is possible. Sunday will bring slightly higher temperatures and sunny conditions - but still brisk northerly winds.

Avalanche danger is not expected to change significantly by next week. On Monday afternoon, fresh snowfall is expected in the northern barrier cloud regions. This will intensify the snowdrift problem.