Hochschwab Mountains

Quite favourable situation, but often large snowdrift accumulations on north-facing slopes

Quite favourable situation, but often large snowdrift accumulations on north-facing slopes

Avalanche danger is generally low. Avalanches prone locations are found esp. on north and east-facing slopes where small-to-medium slab avalanches can be triggered even by the weight of one sole person. The snowdrift accumulations are located in gullies and bowls, as well as behind abrupt discontinuities in the terrain. Particularly in the Planneralm to Styrian Kalkspitze, the snowdrifts should not be underestimated.

The snowpack was able to settle adequately. An older snowdrift layer is usually deposited atop a melt-freeze crust, inside the drifted layer are soft layer which are weak, esp. in N/E aspects. The ground-level layer is moist up to high altitudes.

On Saturday, sunny weather, the residual cloud and fog will swiftly disperse. Winds will be brisk from the northwest. At 2000 m: -4 to -1 degree.

On Sunday conditions are divided: in the north it will be windy, cold and partly foggy with intermittent snow showers; in the south mostly sunny. Temperatures will drop everywhere. Avalanche danger levels are not expected to change significantly.