Hochschwab Mountains

HIGH avalanche danger. Naturally triggered avalanches and loose-snow avalanches likely.

HIGH avalanche danger. Naturally triggered avalanches and loose-snow avalanches likely.

Above the treeline, HIGH avalanche danger (Danger Level 4) prevails, below that altitude the danger is CONSIDERABLE. Naturally triggering slabs and loose-snow avalanches are likely on steep slopes in all aspects. Frequency and spread of danger zones increases with ascending altitude. As the fresh snow accumulates, the weight can cause deeper layers to give way, the releases can be large-sized. At low altitudes, also naturally triggered wet slab and loose-snow avalanches are possible during the course of the day in steep forested and grass-covered terrain. These releases can endanger transport roads.

In the course of the day on Wednesday, 10-20 cm of fresh snow was registered. On Wednesday night and on Thursday, more will come. Amid stormy NW winds, the snow will be transported to all aspects, deposited atop bonded drifts. Weak layers in the fresh snow and drifts are easily triggered. Deeper down inside the snowpack are layers of faceted crystals bordering against melt-freeze crusts which weaken the entire snowpack.A brief bout of rain or sleet below 800 m will moisten the snowpack. Due to the weight on the weak layers and loss of bonding, naturally triggered wet avalanches (slab + loose-snow) will be generated.

A strong NW air current is bringing stormy winds and some snowfall. Snowfall will start on Thursday morning, persist until evening and be heavy in the afternoon (snowfall level 800-1000 m, rainfall lower down). Up to 20 cm of fresh snow is possible, amid strong NW winds. At 2000 m: -6 degrees; the zero-degree level lies at 1200 m. The snowfall will persist until Friday morning, then ease. The snowfall level will ascend to nearly 1000-1200 m during the day. Strong NW winds will continue to blow. At 2000 m: -4 degrees, the zero-degree level will ascend to 1200 m during the course of the day.

Slightly rising temperatures increase the chances of naturally triggered avalanches, the danger level will increase.