Hochschwab Mountains

Fresh wind slab leads to an increase in avalanche danger above the tree line!

Fresh wind slab leads to an increase in avalanche danger above the tree line!

The avalanche risk is moderate above the tree line and low below. There is still a persistent weak layer problem. In addition, fresh wind slab is to be expected. The avalanche prone locations are mainly, but not only, on north to east facing slopes above the tree line. Here, fresh and older snowdrift accumulations can be triggered by individuals as slab avalanches in a few places.

Up to 15 cm of new fallen snow has fallen in the north since Saturday, with a few centimetres more to come over the course of Tuesday. Stormy north-westerly winds led to drifts. The snow base, fundament is weakened by snow-covered surface hoar and floating snow.

A cold front will reach the country from the north-west on Tuesday night, bringing new fallen snow along the northern side of the Alps. A total of up to 10 cm of new fallen snow is expected in the eastern northern Alps. The wind will blow gale-force from the north-west. On the southern side of the Alps, there will only be brief snow or sleet showers. The sun may peek out here from time to time. It will be a little colder again and the temperature at 2000 metres will be around -8 degrees.

It will remain largely free of precipitation on Wednesday and the frost at higher altitudes will weaken. On Thursday, an Adriatic low pressure system from the south-west will bring snow and rain at low altitudes. No change in the avalanche risk for the time being.