Freshly generated snowdrifts. Isolated danger zones in old snow.
Above 2200m, fresh, small snowdrift accumulations are often prone to triggering, occur on shady slopes behind protruberances in the landscape, in gullies and bowls and on wind-loaded slopes. Spread and size tend to increase with ascending altitudfe and during the course of the day. Apart from the risks of avalanches, the dangers of being swept along and forced to take a fall need to be taken into consideration. Above 2400m, isolated avalanches can be triggered also in the old snow and grow to medium size. At low altitudes isolated small glide-snow avalanches are possible, particularly on very steep sunny slopes. On slopes with glide cracks, high caution is necessary.
Snowpack
On nights with clear skies, the snowpack surface metamorphosed expansively on shady slopes. in shady places at high altitudes, weak layer are evident in the snowpack, also near ground level where the snowpack is shallow. Due to moderate southerly winds, fresh, mostly small snowdrifts accumulated in ridgeline and pass areas. As a result of intensifying westerly winds in Saturday, more trigger-sensitive snowdrift accumulations will be generated. On steep sunny slopes the snowpack surface was moistened up to 2800m on Friday, overnight it will form a thin melt-freeze crust. Depending on wind impact, the snow is distributed very irregularly, ridges often windblown, gullies and bowls often filled to the brim with snow.
Tendency
Due to fresh snowfall and strong northerly winds, avalanche danger levels will increase on Sunday.
Danger level
2000m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
2000m
Persistent weak layer
2400m
On shady slopes isolated danger zones due to weak layers in old snow. Evaluate fresh snowdrifts with caution.
Avalanche danger as of 2400m is moderate, danger is low below that altitude. On shady slopes at high and high-alpine altitudes, small-to-medium slab avalanches can be treiggered in the old snow. In addition, small, fresh snowdrift accumulations will be generated near ridgelines during the course of the day. Danger zones occur mostly in transitions from shallow to deep snow, e.g. at the edge of gullies and bowls and behind protruberances in the landscape. Danger zones tend to increase with ascending altitude. The weight of one persons is sufficient to trigger a slab in steep terrain.
Snowpack
At high and high alpine altitudes, fresh and older snowdrift accumulations have been deposited on the surfaces atop loosely-packed layers of older snow or atop surface hoar, both of which are prone to triggering. Beneath these layers, the snow which has persisted since September and November as fundament is weakened by layers of faceted crystals. The snow is distributed highly irregularly: ridges are often totally windblown, but elsewhere the fresh fallen snow also doesn’t cover the base.
Tendency
As a result of fresh snowfall and wind impact, the danger from freshly generated snowdrifts will increase somewhat on Sunday.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Persistent weak layer
2000m
Snowdrifts often lie deposited on weak old snow.
Avalanche danger above the treeline is moderate. Snowdrifts are problematic. Fresh and older snowdrifts can trigger a small-to-medium sized slab avalanche by minimum additional loading in some places. Danger zones occur in steep east and south-facing terrain and tend to increase with ascending altitude, but still are small-sized. In addition, there is a persistent weak layer problem, unrecognizable without looking inside the snowpack. Danger zones occur in northern aspects and can be triggered particularly by large additional loading. In isolated cases they can grow to medium size.
Snowpack
On south-facing slopes, a thin melt-freeze crust will form overnight in many places. On shady slopes the snow will remain soft. Westerly winds will set in during the nocturnal hours, during the daytime hours snowfall will set in. The loose snow will be transported by winds, generate snowdrifted masses in summit and ridgeline areas. Size and frequency of the drifts will tend to increase with ascending altitude. At altitudes of 1800-2200m, there is a melt-freeze crust capable of bearing loads, beneath which a weak layer of faceted crystals has formed. The old snowpack base has varying depths, it is often lacking in wind-exposed zones. At intermediate altitudes the snow base is often moist, wet in some places, which can lead the entire snowpack to gliding over smooth ground.
Tendency
Depending on amounts of fresh fallen snow, avalanche danger levels could increase further.
Danger level
2400m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2400m
Gliding snow
2200m
On shady slopes isolated danger zones due to weak layers in old snow.
Avalanche danger as of 2400m is moderate, danger is low below that altitude. On shady slopes at high and high-alpine altitudes, small-to-medium slab avalanches can be treiggered in the old snow. Slab avalanches can be triggered in steep terrain particularly by large additional loading. On extremely steep grass-covered slopes, isolated small-sized glide-snow avalanches can trigger naturally. Zones beneath glide cracks should be circumvented.
Snowpack
Older snowdrift accumulations lie deposited atop soft layers at high and high alpine altitudes, beneath which are often layers of faceted crystals. The snow is distributed irregularly, ridges are often totally windblown, and the fresh fallen snow does not cover the snow base sufficiently everywhere. The entire snowpack could start to glide over smooth ground.
Tendency
As a result of fresh snowfall and wind impact, the danger from freshly generated snowdrifts will increase somewhat on Sunday.
Danger level
2400m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2400m
Avalanches can fracture in ground-level layers.
Weak layers in the old snow can be triggered particularly on wind-loaded slopes by one single winter sports enthusiast. The somewhat older snowdrift accumulations are easily recognized for the practiced tourers. Danger zones tend to increase in high alpine regions. Avalanches can be medium sized in isolated cases.
Avalanche headquarters have little information from high alpine regions. For that reason, the situation must be cautiously evaluated on-site. Apart from the risks of being buried in snow masses, the danger of being swept along and forced to take a fall need to be taken into consideration.
Snowpack
dp.1: deep persistent weak layer
Older snowdrift accumulations above 2400m blanket a weak old snowpack surface. Weather conditions are improving the avalanche situation on shady slopes. The upper part of the snowpack is soft; the intermediate layers are faceted.
At all altitudes there is little snow on the ground for this juncture of the season. The snowpack is highly diverse, even over small areas.
Tendency
Weather conditions, and thus, also avalanche danger developements are still uncertain.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Gliding snow
Winds are generating small snowdrift accumulations.
Avalanche danger is low. Snowdrifts are often problematic above the treeline. Danger zones occur in steep ridgeline terrain and in wind-loaded gullies and bowls. Slab avalanches can be triggered by one single winter sports enthusiast. The releases will mostly be small-sized. In isolated cases on very steep slopes small glide-snow avalanches can release over smooth ground.
Snowpack
On south-facing slopes, a thin melt-freeze crust will form overnight in many places. On shady slopes the snow will remain soft. Westerly winds will set in during the nocturnal hours, during the daytime hours snowfall will set in. The loose snow will be transported by winds, generate snowdrifted masses in summit and ridgeline areas. Size and frequency of the drifts will tend to increase with ascending altitude. At altitudes of 1800-2200m, there is a melt-freeze crust capable of bearing loads, beneath which a weak layer of faceted crystals has formed. The old snowpack base has varying depths, it is often lacking in wind-exposed zones. At intermediate altitudes the snow base is often moist, wet in some places, which can lead the entire snowpack to gliding over smooth ground.
Tendency
Due to snowfall avalanche dangers will increase.
Danger level
Snowpack
Tendency
Danger level
2200m
Avalanche Problem
Gliding snow
2200m
Avalanche danger is low, isolated small-sized glide-snow avalanches
Avalanche danger is low. In isolated cases on very steep slopes, small-sized glide-snow avalanches can trigger on smooth ground, below 2200m small glide-snow avalanches can release. Zones on slopes beneath glide cracks should be circumvented.
Snowpack
The snow cover is settling to an increasing degree. It is not yet sufficiently thick for activities in outlying terrain. Surface hoar has formed widespread on the surface. Over smooth ground, the entire snowpack can start to glide, e.g. on grass-covered slopes steeper than 35° the entire snowpack can glide over the ground.
Tendency
Danger expected to remain constant
Danger level
Avalanche danger in general low.
The Avalanche danger is in general low, few danger spots are found in high, extremely steep shady slopes and gullies. There small slab avalanches are only possible with high additional loads.
Snowpack
The new snow from the weekend has settled without significant weak layers. In high shady slopes the snow base is formed of faceted snow which could be a weak layer in some areas. Surface hoar is possible.
Tendency
New snow and stormy northwesterly winds are increasing the avalanche danger scale.
Danger level
Snowpack
Tendency
Danger level
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
Snowpack
Tendency
Danger level
Avalanche danger in general low.
The Avalanche danger is in general low, few danger spots are found in high, extremely steep shady slopes and gullies. There small slab avalanches are only possible with high additional loads.
Snowpack
South of the Alps the amount of loose snow is low without significant weak layers. In higher shady slopes the snow base is built of faceted snow.
Tendency
New snow and stormy northwestern winds lead to rising avalanche danger level in Niedere Tauern on Sunday. South of that the avalanche danger scale will not significantly change due to the lack of new snow.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Low avalanche danger, isolated small glide-snow avalanches.
Avalanche danger is low. Small-area wide, fresh snowdrift accumulations at high altitudes require caution. Below the treeline there is no striking avalanche problem evident. Particularly on very steep sunny slopes, isolated small glide-snow avalanches are possible. On slopes with glide cracks, caution is imperative.
Snowpack
On nights with clear skies, the snowpack surface metamorphosed expansively on shady slopes. On sunny slopes the snowpack surface was moistened on Friday, overnight it will form a thin melt-freeze crust. Southerly winds will generate fresh, mostly small drifted masses in higher-altitude pass and ridgeline areas. Due to intensifying westerly winds on Saturday, more trigger-sensitive snowdrift accumulations will be generated on Saturday. Depending on wind impact, the snow is distributed very irregularly, ridges often windblown, gullies and bowls often filled to the brim with snow.
Tendency
Due to fresh snowfall and strong northerly winds, avalanche danger levels will increase on Sunday.Due to fresh snowfall and strong northerly winds, avalanche danger levels will increase on Sunday.
