Hochschwab Mountains

Not much snow, low avalanche danger but isolated avalanche prone locations at high altitudes in the Northern Alps

Not much snow, low avalanche danger but isolated avalanche prone locations at high altitudes in the Northern Alps

Avalanche danger throughout Styria’s mountains is low, isolated avalanche prone locations (older small ridgeline snowdrift accumulations) occur at high altitudes of the Dachstein and Totes Gebirge Massif on N/E slopes 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. Due to the shallow snow depths, often with melt-freeze encrusted or surface-hoar blanketed surfaces, the risks of taking a fall outweigh those of being buried in snow masses.

In general, snow depths are extremely below average for this juncture of the season. The snowpack below 1700 m is fragmented. 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. Older snowdrift patches have been able to consolidate in places, 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. At intermediate altitudes the slopes are becoming bare of snow. The old snow is moist down to the ground.

In the new year, pleasant, extremely mild weather will continue. On the night of New Year’s Eve it will remain unusually mild. During the daytime on New Year’s Day, temperatures will recede slightly, it will be quite sunny with only a few cirrus clouds at high altitude. At 2000 m: 7 degrees. Moderate SE/SW winds.

No change is expected in avalanche danger levels.