Hochschwab Mountains

Heed: small fresh snowdrift masses at high altitudes

Heed: small fresh snowdrift masses at high altitudes

Avalanche danger is low. In the summit zones of the Dachstein region and Niedere Tauern, fresh shallow snowdrift masses have been generated. Danger zones for slab avalanches lie on north-facing ridgeline slopes and behind abrupt drops in the terrain. With rising daytime temperatures and rain impact, naturally triggered wet loose-snow avalanches continue to be possible on extremely steep slopes.

Moderate winds are generating small snowdrift masses, not well bonded with the old snowpack surface esp. on shady slopes, thus, prone to triggering. At intermediate altitudes the snowpack is losing its firmness due to warmth.

A warm front will bring precipitation on Friday and higher temperatures at all altitudes. Gray skies from the start, the summits will be veiled in dense cloud. In the Dachstein and Totes Gebirge regions, rainfall and snowfall during the morning, later it will spread to all regions of Styria. The snowfall level will ascend to 2200-2400 m by afternoon. Particularly in the Northern Alps, brisk westerly winds are expected in ridgeline zones. At 2000 m in the afternoon: +3 degrees.

In the Northern Alps dense clouds will persist, repeated bouts of rainfall are possible, light snowfall above 2200 m. On the southern flank of the Alps, pleasant and sunny in the morning, later there will be convective cloud build-up, a few thunderstorm-like rain showers. No change is expected.