Hochschwab Mountains

Fresh snowdrift accumulations at high altitudes during the day

Fresh snowdrift accumulations at high altitudes during the day

Avalanche danger is initially low, but during the course of the day will rise to moderate above 1800 m. On very seteep E/S facing slopes at high altitudes isolated slab triggerings of medium size are possible even with low additional loading. At low and intermediate altitudes the dange rof naturally triggered glide-snow avalanches on steep smooth grassy slopes has decreased somewhat, but they can still trigger at any time of day or night. Zones below glide cracks should be avoided. Due to rainfall (loss of firmness) wet loose-snow slides are possible in areas which have not yet discharged - i.e. steep slopes.

The snowpack has settled well, is mostly stable. On higher-altitude shady slopes the snowpack is mostly dry, moist lower down, in places it is already isotherm. Depending on wind impact and solar radiation, the surface is melt-freeze encrusted or hardened, a loose layer exists only on shady wind-protected slopes. Trigger-sensitive weak layers exist more deeply embedded inside the snowpack in the form of faceted crystals around older melt-freeze crusts. In addition, when the snowpack is thoroughly wet there is a wet sliding layer in the transitions to the ground which is responsible for glide-snow avalanches.

A stormy NW air current will bring Sunday’s weather to STyria. On the northern flank of the Alps, often gray skies, northerly foehn wind will disperse the clouds on the southern flank of the Alps. Along the Northern Alps and on the northern flank of the Niedere Tauern, rainfall will set in during the latter part of the night, then turn to snowfall above 1000 m during the day. Stormy NW winds will accompany the precipitation. South of the Main Alpine Ridge, more sunshine, less wind. On the northern flank of the Alps at 2000 m: -3 degreesd; at 1500 m: +1 degree; on the southern flank of the Alps +1 to +4 degrees. On Monday, precipitation will ease in the northern regions, but clouds and fog will persist. In the south, sunny weather will prevail. The NW winds will remain strong and temperatures will recede slightly.

Slight increase in danger of slab avalanches at high altitudes due to freshly-generated snowdrift accumulations.