Hochschwab Mountains

Fresh snowdrifts at high altitudes

Fresh snowdrifts at high altitudes

Avalanche danger from Schladminger Tauern to Hochschwab is considerable above the treeline, below that altitude danger level 2 prevails. The stormy easterly winds have loaded gullies and bowls in all aspects to the brim with drifts. Particular caution is urged behind abrupt disconuities in the terrain. The situation is atypical, since winds have loaded west-facing slopes. The drifts can be easily triggered by one sole skier. Glide cracks in the snowpack are signals of alarm. As temperatures rise, naturally triggered releases are expected in steep rocky and rough terrain. At low and intermediate altitudes, wet loose-snow slides can trigger at any time of day or night.

Over the last 24 hours in Niedere Tauern there has been 20-30 cm of fresh snow registered. Easterly winds have done their work on the snowpack surface. Snowdrifts lie atop a soft, cold layer. Up to 1600 m the snowpack surface is moist. In both cases, bonding to the old snowpack is insufficient. On north-facing slopes the expansive metamorphosis weakens the snowpack layering.

In the evening hours skies will still be overcast throughout Styria. In the north skies will gradually clear. On Wednesday, superb sunshine. Winds will be easterly. Along the rimline ranges, barrier clouds will accumulate, with fog. At 2000 m: -4 degrees.

On Thursday morning in Niedere Tauern and Turrach, sunshine. In the afternoon, clouds and fog will dominate everywhere. As a result of northerly winds, cold air masses will come our way as of midday, the temperatures will drop noticeably. At 2000 m in the morning: -5 degrees; in the evening: -11 degrees. The snowpack will be able to settle somewhat.