Hochschwab Mountains

Daytime cycle of avalanche danger. End skiing tours early!

Daytime cycle of avalanche danger. End skiing tours early!

Due to solar radiation and daytime warming, avalanche danger rises in the morning from LOW to MODERATE. Generally favorable backcountry touring conditions prevail, but at the same time, a few avalanche problems. Glide-snow avalanches are possible at any time of day or night and can become large. In steep north-facing gullies there are still a few avalanche prone locations from a permanent weak layer at which slab avalanches can be triggered by mountaineers. Due to solar radiation and daytime warming, the likelihood of naturally triggered wet loose-snow and slab avalanches increases in steep, sunny terrain.

During nights of clear skies the snowpack can regain firmness, but due to mild temperatures rapidly softens up to high altitudes during the day, particularly on sunny slopes. The snowpack is becoming wetter and wetter, at intermediate altitudes the snow is already rotten. On steep north-facing slopes there are still reserves of cold and there, faceted crystals have formed weak layers.

Monday will be quite sunny, with springtime temperatures and light N/W winds. In the afternoon a few harmless convective clouds could form. At 2000 m at midday: +5 degrees.

On Tuesday it will still be warm, but heavy high-altitude cloud cover will move in, local showers are possible in the afternoon. Starting on Wednesday, a low over northern Europe will determine the weather, the snowfall level will descend and bring some precipitation by the end of the week. Fresh snowdrift accumulations will be generated at high altitudes.