Hochschwab Mountains

Despite low avalanche danger, persistent weak layer and small wet-snow slides require attentiveness

Despite low avalanche danger, persistent weak layer and small wet-snow slides require attentiveness

Avalanche danger is LOW. Older snowdrifts can in few places on shady slopes (near ridgelines and behind abrupt discontinuities in the terrain, at edges and entries to gullies and bowls) be triggered by large additional loading. On extremely steep slopes where snow is sufficient, rainfall and warmth from recent days can cause isolated small wet slides.

The snowpack fundament is stable, by and large, only on shady slopes is the persistent weak layer still a threat (older snowdrifts atop faceted fundament). As a result of rainfall and warmth the snowpack is thoroughly wet up to high altitudes, thus forfeiting its firmness.

On Friday, gray skies, particularly in the Dachstein and Ennstal Alps the summits will be wreathed in clouds all day long, intermittently there will be snowfall and rainfall. Snowfall level will hover around 2000 m. South of the Main Alpine Ridge, particularly in the morning, sunshine intermittently, but clouds will move in later on, precipitation will hardly reach beyon the Mur-Mürz rift. Winds will be brisk from the west at ridgeline and summit levels. At 2000 m: +1 degree at midday. On Saturday in Styria, once again heavy clouds. Particularly in the Schladminger Tauern to the Gesäuse, repeated rainfall is possible, snowfall down to 1400 m. Starting at midday, the clouds will disperse from the northeast, high-altitude winds will be brisk, strong from west to northwest. At 2000 m: -2 degrees at midday.

Hardly any change in avalanche danger levels. The snowpack will become more and more wet.