Hochschwab Mountains

Persistent weak layer problem in the extended northern sector, slightly increasing wet snow problem

Persistent weak layer problem in the extended northern sector, slightly increasing wet snow problem

The avalanche risk is low. Nevertheless, there is still a persistent weak layer problem in the extended northern sector. Occasionally, mainly in very steep gullies and bowls, slab avalanches can be triggered by people. The avalanche prone locations are usually difficult to recognise and are often located in transition areas from a little to a lot of snow. On the sunny slopes, the softened, barely stabilised snowpack can trigger small wet snow avalanches.

The outgoing longwave radiation and thus the consolidation of the snowpack is reduced. On shady slopes at higher elevations, there are still isolated areas with a soft (faceted) snow surface, with the firmness of the layer changing depending on altitude and exposure. Below this, there is an increasingly sufficiently settled and compact snowpack, the transition to the foundation consisting of deep rime (floating snow) is still poor. Medium and low altitudes are often free of snow.