Hochschwab Mountains

Do not underestimate snowdrift accumulations!

Do not underestimate snowdrift accumulations!

Avalanche danger above the treeline is considerable, below that altitude danger is modearte. Stormy NW winds have formed wide-ranging snowdrift accumulations, particularly in E/S facing terrain. The drifts lie near ridgelines in steep gullies and bowls as well as distant from ridgelines. Slab avalanches (Magnitude 3) can trigger even by the weight of one sole person. On sunny slopes, naturally triggered and loose-snow avalanches are possible in steep rough and rocky terrain. On steep grassy slopess, naturally triggered glide-snow avalanches are possible in some places.

On the weekend, stormy NW winds prevailed, massively transporting the fresh snow. At high altitudes the drifts wer deposited atop loose fresh snow, bonding to the snowpack is poor. Weak layers in the fresh drifts and in border points to the loose fresh snow are prone to triggering. More deeply embedded inside the snowpack are layers of faceted crystals bordering against melt-freeze crusts which weaken the entire snowpack. Due to dropping temperatures the moistened snowpack stabilized and encrusted increasingly.

On Monday, cold northerly winds will bring widespread cloudbanks, but the peaks will mostly remain free (clouds above summit level). Sunshine will often be hampered. Later in the day, particularly in the rimline ranges and the Northern Alps, low-lying foglike clouds will move in. Winds will be northerly at 20-35 km/hr. At 2000 m: -12 degrees.

Tuesday will be quite sunny, but cold. Avalanche danger will decrease.