Hochschwab Mountains

Older drifts getting covered

Older drifts getting covered

Avalanche danger above the treeline is moderate. Due to fresh snow and fresh drifts, older snowdrifts are being blanketed. Danger zones occur in ridgeline terrain and behind discontinuities, esp. on NE/E/S facing slopes. A slab can trigger from 1 person, usually size 2 releases. From zones which have not yet discharged, isolated glide-snow avalanches are still possible. Open glide cracks are indicators of potential danger, avoid them.

The snowpack was ab le to stabilize. During the night snowfall will set in, snowfall level in Styria’s northern regions at 1000 m, in the southern mountain ranges at 1400 m. Initially the snow will be accompanied by not much wind except in the southern ranges. The fresh snow and drifts will cover older drifts or melt-freeze crusts. Where there is wind impact, the drifts will blanket fresh fallen snow which then will be a weak layer. The old snowpack is compact and without marked weak layers, topped by a thick crust which is capable of bearing loads (unpleasant for skiers: riddled with water seepage channels). On smooth ground the snowpack continues to glide downhill.

Styria’s mountains will be shrouded in fog and frequent rainfall/snowfall is expected. In the Northern Alps the snowfall level will drop swiftly to below 1000 m, between Turrach and Wechsel there will be rainfall up to 1300 m. About 10 cm of fresh snow is anticipated. Winds will shift to northerly. At 2000 m: -5 degrees in Totes Gebirge and -1 degree on the Koralpe.

On Sunday, arctic air masses will reach us. Heavy cloud or fog with light snowfall. All in all, 10-15 cm of powder snow is expected. Brisk, cold northerly winds are expected, intensifying later in the day. At 2000 m: in the Northern Alps -8 degrees; on the southern flank of the Alps -3 degrees. Temperatures will continue to drop. Danger of slab avalanches will increase at high altitudes.