Rising avalanche danger above the treeline due to fresh snow and wind
Below the treeline, avalanche danger is low. Isolated danger zones for small releases (slides) are possible in extremely steep terrain. Apart from the danger of being swept along, the risks of being forced to take a fall also require consideration. Above the treeline. small fresh snowdrift accumulations are forming, they are prone to triggering and easily unleashed as small slab avalanches. There is still little data coming into the Avalanche Warning Services headquarters from the outlying regions. Cautious on-site evaluation is recommended.
Snowpack
A bit of fresh snowfall is anticipated, deposited atop a well-consolidated, shallow snowpack. At high altitudes this snow is being transported by strong to storm-strength winds, thereby generating small snowdrift accumulations especially in ridgeline and pass zones above the treeline. These drifted masses will grow during the course of the day, they are trigger-sensitive particularly in wind-loaded gullies and bowls.
Tendency
Due to further fresh snowfall and wind impact, avalanche danger will rise significantly over the weekend.
Danger level
2000m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
2000m
Persistent weak layer
2600m
Caution urged towards trigger-sensitive snowdrift masses, also in zones distant from ridgelines.
Avalanche danger above 2000m is moderate, below that altitude danger is low. Due to strong winds from varying directions, snowdrift accumulations are being generated, thereby making avalanche prone locations in all aspects, including distant from ridgelines, which are extremely prone to triggering and which can trigger a medium-sized slab avalanche even be minimum additional loading. Moreover, in high alpine terrain on purely shady slopes (NW-NE) slab avalanches can be triggered in the old snow and reach medium size. In general, there is still little snow on the ground, danger zones in outlying terrain are often only minimally blanketed by fresh snow.
Snowpack
In wind-protected zones there is very loosely-packed fresh snow on the surface which is being transported by intensifying winds. During the daytime hours, fresh snowdrift accumulations are being generated and deposited top of loosely-packed snowpack surfaces. On shady slopes, blanketed surface hoar can in isolated cases serve as a weak layer. In gullies and bowls in high and high altitude spots, generally hardened layers consisting of melt-freeze crusts form the basis of the snowpack fundament (September snow). Faceted, often trigger-sensitive intermediate layers between this base and the bonded snow from November often weaken the layering. Below 1800m the fresh snow fell by and large on bare ground.
Tendency
Variable weather conditions and a new round of precipitation will raise avalanche danger a notch.
BEFORE NOON Danger level
2600m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2600m
AFTERNOON Danger level
2400m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
2400m
Starting at midday, avalanche danger is expected to rise.
Due to fresh fallen snow and storm-strength winds, avalanche danger will rise to Level 2 - “moderate.” Isolated, generally small-sized naturally triggered avalanches cannot be ruled out, particularly at the foot of cliff walls and behind protruberances in the landscape along the Salzburg border in regions where it is windy. Also in gullies and bowls, snowdrift accumulations will be generated as of midday. Caution urged in all aspects above 2400m. Apart from the risks of being buried in snow masses, the dangers of being swept along and being forced to take a fall must be considered.
Snowpack
From place to place, 5-15 cm of snowfall is anticipated. Winds will be blowing intermittently at storm-strength. Freshly generated snowdrift accumulations will be deposited atop a weak old snowpack surface, especially on shady slopes above 2400m and on wind-protected sunny slopes above 2600m. The upper layers of the snowpack are soft; the lower layers are faceted.
Tendency
As a result of fresh snowfall and strong-velocity winds, the magnitude of avalanche prone locations will grow.
Danger level
Avalanche Problem
No distinct avalanche problem
Rising avalanche danger above the treeline due to fresh snow and wind.
Below the treeline, no marked avalanche problem exists. Isolated danger zones for small releases (slides) occur in extremely steep terrain. Apart from the danger of being swept along, the risks of being forced to take a fall also require consideration. Above the treeline, small fresh snowdrift accumulations are forming, they are prone to triggering and easily unleashed as small slab avalanches. There is still little data coming into headquarters from the outlying regions. On-site, cautious evaluation is recommended.
Snowpack
A bit of fresh snowfall is anticipated, deposited atop a well-consolidated, shallow snowpack. At high altitudes this snow is being transported by strong to storm-strength winds, thereby generating small snowdrift accumulations especially in ridgeline and pass zones above the treeline. These drifted masses will grow during the course of the day. Particularly in wind-loaded gullies and bowls they are trigger-sensitive.
Tendency
Due to more snowfall and wind impact, avalanche danger will rise significantly over the weekend.
