Hochschwab Mountains

Still prone-to-triggering drifts on high altitude east-facing slopes

Still prone-to-triggering drifts on high altitude east-facing slopes

At high altitude, avalanche danger is considerable, elsewhere danger is moderate. Fresh drifts can still be triggered as slab avalanches, particularly in steep, shady gullies and bowls, even by minimum additional loading. Avalanche prone locations are found mostly at entries into gullies and bowls, and behind protruberances. On south-facing slopes, naturally triggered loose-snow avalanches cannot be ruled out.

The warmth and solar radiation has stabilized the snowpack. On south-facing slopes the drifts are better bonded with the old snowpack, at low altitudes the snow is becoming moist. On shady slopes, faceted crystals still constitute a weak layer, the snowpack still has reserves of cold even at low altitudes. New drifts are bonding poorly with the old snowpack. Near ridges and in exposed terrain the areas are windblown or icy.

On Friday night, a cold front will pass through, bringing a few centimetres of fresh snow north of the Main Alpine Ridge. Clouds will disperse in the morning, in early morning south of the Main Alpine Ridge, and it will become sunny. Temperatures will recede measurably and winds will often be stormy. At 2000 m: -10 degrees in the north, -5 degrees in the south; at 1500 m: about 5 degrees higher.

On Sunday, intermediate altitude clouds, no precipitation. A bit warmer, amid brisk westerly winds. No significant change in danger levels.