Hochschwab Mountains

At high altitudes moderate avalanche danger due to fresh drifts

At high altitudes moderate avalanche danger due to fresh drifts

Above the treeline avalanche danger is moderate, below that altitude danger is low. Danger zones occur on E/S facing slopes at entries to steep gullies and bowls and in general behind discontinuities in the terrain where fresh snowdrifts can trigger a medium slab avalanche by 1 person.

The snowpack base has consolidated due to lower temperatures and formed a melt-freeze crust at the transition to the fresh snow. Atop of it, 30 cm of fresh snow has been deposited since Sunday evening, partly transported to E/S facing terrain. The fresh snowdrifts may contain weak layers or could develop weak layers at transitions to the old snow.

Wednesday will bring instable and cool weather. Along the northern flank of the Alps, gray skies, repeated bouts of snowfall, snowfall level at 900 m. South of the Main Alpine Ridge the clouds could disperse somewhat, only isolated snow showers are anticipated. At 2000 m: -4 degrees. Strong NW winds, slackening off later in the day.

Weather will remain capricious and cool, along the northern flank of the Alps repeated rounds of snowfall. Avalanche danger levels are not expected to change significantly.