Hochschwab Mountains

Avalanche prone locations due to snowdrifts at high altitudes from place to place

Avalanche prone locations due to snowdrifts at high altitudes from place to place

On Friday, fresh snowdrift accumulations were generated above the timberline which with ascending altitude become increasingly triggerable. Main danger zones start at 1900 m in N/E/S aspects. Another danger: small-to-medium sized glide-snow avalanches which can trigger naturally on steep grass-covered slopes.

In the Northern Alps between Dachstein, Totes Gebirge and Ennstal Alps as well as on the northern flank of the Schladming Tauern, there is currently 80 cm of snow on the ground which has fallen since 25 November. Storm-strength winds from varying directions have created windblown crests and ridges, near the ridgelines and in gullies and bowls the drifts have filled every cavity. Weak layers formed as soft intermediate layers which formed in periods with much wind and little precipitation. As a result of the shift from cold to warm temperatures the snowpack was able to stabilize somewhat, a melt-freeze crust formed on the surface. With the milder temperatures the coming warm front will make the snow moist again.

Following partly clear skies in the early part of the night, cloud cover will become heavier as the warm front moves in on Saturday morning, a bit of light snowfall is possible in the early phase. By midday, clouds will become heavier, further precipitation is expected to follow, with rainfall up to 1500 m. Temperatures will rise significantly, to about 0 °C at 2000 m at midday; at 1500 m to +2 degrees. Light to moderate westerly to southwesterly winds will prevail. On Sunday a cold front will follow in its wake, with further precipitation accompanied by storm-strength northwesterly winds. Temperatures will drop approximately 10 degrees, the snowfall level will rapidly descend to low lying areas again.

Through the sustained drop in temperature on Sunday, the moist snow will be able to consolidate again. However, fresh snowdrifts will again be deposited on the melt-freeze encrusted snowpack surface. Thus, avalanche danger levels will remain unchanged.