Snowdrifts occur especially in summit and pass areas
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
The forecast snowfall will be deposited on south-facing slopes atop a slightly melt-freeze encrusted surface, on shady slopes atop a softened surface. In the western and high-altitude regions the snowfall will be heavier. Westerly winds will accompany it. Particularly in summit and pass areas, large-sized snowdrifts will accumulate which will be deposited on top of soft layers. Inside the old snowpack are melt-freeze crusts which become less marked with ascending altitude. In some places a trigger-sensitive layer of faceted crystals has formed near the crusts, particularly on north-facing slopes at higher altitudes. The snowpack base at low altitudes is often moist, sometimes wet, which tends to further the gliding movement of the entire snowpack over smooth ground.
Tendency
The activity of wet avalanches will increase with the rising temperatures, snowdrifts will consolidate.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Wet snow
2000m
Above the treeline, snowdrifts demand caution
Above the treeline, fresh snowdrift accumulations are prone to triggering. Danger zones occur mostly on shady slopes behind protruberances in the landscape, in gullies and bowls and on wind-loaded slopes. Below the trereline, avalanche danger is low.
Snowpack
The fresh snowfall is being deposited mostly on steep shady slopes atop metamorphosed old snowpack layers or atop surface hoar. On east-facing and sunny slopes, often atop encrusted surfaces. As a result of strong NW winds, widespread snowdrifts will accumluate. The fresh snow will be increasely poorly bonded with the old snowpack surface with ascending altitude. In places in high-altitude shady spots and where the snow is shallow, weak faceted layers are evident in the snowpack. All in all, the snowpack is highly varied: ridges are often windblown, gullies and bowls are filled to the brim with snow.
Tendency
Monday will be sunny and noticeably milder. Avalanche danger levels will decrease. Slides and small glide-snow avalanches are possible.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Persistent weak layer
2400m
In high alpine regions avalanches can fracture in the old snowpack
Avalanche danger above the treeline is CONSIDERABLE. The major problem: freshly generated snowdrift accumulations which can trigger a medium-sized slab avalanche even by minimum addtional loading. Danger zones occur both near to and far from ridgelines behind protruberancees in the landscape and in steep gullies and bowls, particularly in NW/N/SE facing slopes. Above 2400m, avalanches fracturing from the surface layer can fracture deeper and grow to large size in isolated cases. In very steep and unstructured terrain below 2200m, isolated naturally triggered glide-snow avalanches are possible. Avoid terrain below glide cracks.
Snowpack
Fresh snow and fresh snowdrifts, particularly on shady wind-protected slopes, are being deposited atop surface hoar. At high and high alpine altitudes, snowdrifted masses are being blanketed by southerly foehn winds as well as W/NW winds and are prone to triggering. Beneath these drifts the snow from September and November constitutes the snowpack base which above 2400m often is weakened by layers of faceted crystals. The snow is distributed highly irregularly, ridges are often utterly windblown, and the fresh fallen snow does not cover the ground everywhere sufficiently. On very steep grassy slopes the snowpack tends to glide over the smooth ground.
Tendency
On Monday, no significant change is expected. Fresh snowdrifts remain the biggest danger.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Wet snow
1800m
Snowdrifts increase in frequency with ascending altitude
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, as well as in wind-loaded gullies and bowls, and tend to increase with ascending altitude. Releases are mostly small-sized. In isolated cases on very steep slopes where the ground is smooth, small glide-snow avalanches can unleash. Avoid zones below glide cracks.
Snowpack
The forecast snowfall will be deposited on south-facing slopes atop a slightly melt-freeze encrusted surface, on shady slopes atop a softened surface. In the western and high-altitude regions the snowfall will be heavier. Westerly winds will accompany it. Particularly in summit and pass areas, large-sized snowdrifts will accumulate which will be deposited on top of soft layers. Inside the old snowpack are melt-freeze crusts which become less marked with ascending altitude. In some places a trigger-sensitive layer of faceted crystals has formed near the crusts, particularly on north-facing slopes at higher altitudes. The snowpack base at low altitudes is often moist, sometimes wet, which tends to further the gliding movement of the entire snowpack over smooth ground.
Tendency
The activity of wet avalanches will increase with the rising temperatures, snowdrifts will consolidate.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Wet snow
1500m
Snowpack
Tendency
Danger level
2000m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
2000m
Wet snow
2000m
Fresh snowdrifts are main danger
At high altitudes, fresh snowdrift accumulations are prone to triggering. Danger zones occur mostly on shady slopes behind protruberances in the landscape, in gullies and bowls and on wind-loaded slopes. Size and spread tend to increase with ascending altitude. Small-to-medium slab avalanches can be triggered even by the weight of one single skier. Above 2400m, isolated avalanches can trigger in the old snow and grow to medium size. Below the trereline, avalanche danger is low.
Snowpack
The fresh snowfall is being deposited mostly on steep shady slopes atop metamorphosed old snowpack layers or atop surface hoar. On east-facing and sunny slopes, often atop encrusted surfaces. As a result of strong NW winds, widespread snowdrifts will accumluate. The fresh snow will be increasely poorly bonded with the old snowpack surface with ascending altitude. In places in high-altitude shady spots and where the snow is shallow, weak faceted layers are evident in the snowpack. All in all, the snowpack is highly varied: ridges are often windblown, gullies and bowls are filled to the brim with snow.
Tendency
Monday will be sunny and noticeably milder. Avalanche danger levels will decrease., but slides and small glide-snow avalanches are possible.
Danger level
1400m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
1400m
Wet snow
Snowpack
Tendency
Danger level
1400m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
1400m
Wet snow
1500m
Avoid wind-loaded terrain
Avalanche danger above the treeline is moderate. The main problem is freshly generated snowdrift accumulations which can trigger a small, and in isolated cases also a medium-sized slab avalanche even by minimum addiitional loading. Danger zones for slab avalanches occur particularly in NW/N/SE facing slopes and in steep ridgeline terrain. Above 2400m an avalanche which is unleashed on the surface can fracture down to deeper layers inside the old snowpack In very steep, unstructured terrain below 2200m, isolated naturally triggered glide-snow avalanches can unleash. Avoid all terrain below glide cracks.
Snowpack
Fresh snow and snowdrifts blanket an unfavourable snowbase of surface hoar and faceted layers particularly on shady, wind-protected slopes. At high and high-alpine altitudes there are also snowdrifts which were generated recently by southerly foehn winds as well as by W/NW winds which are prone to triggering. The old snowpack fundament on shady, high altitude slopes is weakened by layers of faceted crystals. The snow is distributed highly irregularly, ridges are often windblown, and the fresh snow does not cover the ground sufficiently. On very steep grassy slopes the snowpack can glide over the smooth ground.
Tendency
On Monday, no significant change is expected. Moderate snowdrift problem above the treeline.
Danger level
1400m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
1400m
Wet snow
Considerable avalanche danger in high altitudes due to snowdrift! During the day the warning can cause spontaneous avalanches!
The Avalanche danger above the tree line is moderate but increasing during day due to accumulating snowdrift. Below the tree line the avalanche danger scale stays low.Accumulating easterly snowdrifts in areas adjacent to ridgelines as well as on slopes are dangerous. Small additional load could trigger medium slab avalanches.
Snowpack
The snow base doesn’t show significant weak layers. In high shady slopes faceted snow base is found. The surface is crusted on sunny slopes with partially surface hoar. Saturday night 10-30 cm new snow is called which will by drifted by stormy northwesterly winds to the eastern sector. Weak layers are expected within the snowdrift layer as well as to the base layer.
Tendency
The snow will stop on Monday, wind slab problem will persist.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Wet snow
Above tree line increasing avalanche danger due to fresh drift snow!
The Avalanche danger above the tree line is moderate but increasing during day due to accumulating snowdrift. Below the tree line the avalanche danger scale stays low. Accumulating easterly snowdrifts in areas adjacent to ridgelines as well as on slopes are dangerous. Small additional load could trigger medium slab avalanches.
Snowpack
The snow base doesn’t show significant weak layers. In high shady slopes faceted snow base is found. The surface is crusted on sunny slopes with partially surface hoar. Saturday night 10-30 cm new snow is called which will by drifted by stormy northwesterly winds to the eastern sector. Weak layers are expected within the snowdrift layer as well as to the base layer.
Tendency
The snow will stop on Monday, wind slab problem will persist.
Danger level
2200m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
2200m
Persistent weak layer
2400m
Fresh fallen snow and esp. freshly-generated snowdrifts are main danger widespread
As a result of fresh snow and often storm-strength winds, trigger-sensitive snowdrift accumulations are being generated esp. in gullies and bowls, behind protruberances in the landscape as well as in general above 2200m. These masses can often be triggered by the weight of one single skier or else trigger naturally. Avalanches occasionally grow to medium size. In addition, avalanches can in some places trigger in the weak old snow, particularly in ridgeline zones and in transitions into gullies and bowls.
Frequency and size of the danger zones tend to increase with ascending altitude. .
Whumpf noises and cracks when treading upon the snowpack are alarm signals: they indicate immediate danger.
Snowpack
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind dp.1: deep persistent weak layer
In the early morning hours, up to 10cm of fresh snowfall is anticipated, locally more.. The often stormy winds will transport the fresh snow, also some of the old snow. The freshly generated snowdrift accumulations will be deposited above 2200m atop a weak old snowpack surface.
The old snowpack surface is metamorphosed and faceted, the surface is loosely-packed.
At all altitudes, there is too little snow on the ground for this juncture of the season. Snow is distributed highly irregularly, 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
2200m
Avoid wind-loaded terrain
Avalanche danger above the treeline is moderate. The main problem is freshly generated snowdrift accumulations which can trigger a small, and in isolated cases also a medium-sized slab avalanche even by minimum addiitional loading. Danger zones for slab avalanches occur particularly in NW/N/SE facing slopes and in steep ridgeline terrain. Above 2400m an avalanche which is unleashed on the surface can fracture down to deeper layers inside the old snowpack In very steep, unstructured terrain below 2200m, isolated naturally triggered glide-snow avalanches can unleash. Avoid all terrain below glide cracks.
Snowpack
Fresh snow and snowdrifts blanket an unfavourable snowbase of surface hoar and faceted layers particularly on shady, wind-protected slopes. At high and high-alpine altitudes there are also snowdrifts which were generated recently by southerly foehn winds as well as by W/NW winds which are prone to triggering. The old snowpack fundament on shady, high altitude slopes is weakened by layers of faceted crystals. The snow is distributed highly irregularly, ridges are often windblown, and the fresh snow does not cover the ground sufficiently. On very steep grassy slopes the snowpack can glide over the smooth ground.
Tendency
On Monday, no significant change is expected. Moderate snowdrift problem above the treeline.
Danger level
1200m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
1200m
Wet snow
Snowpack
Tendency
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Wet snow
1500m
Snowpack
Tendency
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Avalanche danger in generally low, but isolated danger zones occur due to freshly generated snowdrift accumulations.
Avalanche danger is low. Danger zones due to fresh snowdrifts occur above the treeline on N/SE facing slopes behind protruberances in the landscape and in steep gullies and bowls. These canb be trigger a small slab avalanche in isolated cases even by minimum additional loading.
Snowpack
The small amount of fresh fallen snow and fresh snowdrifts often blanket surface hoar or else faceted old snow and can be prone to triggering. The snow base is often quite shallow and in isolated cases is weakened by faceted layers on shady high-alpine slopes.
Tendency
On Monday, no significant change is expected.
Danger level
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
Avalanche danger low but danger spots due to fresh in snowdrift deposits above the tree line.
The Avalanche danger is generally low but above the tree in Niedere Tauern few danger spots are located. Caution: fresh driftsnow deposits adjacent to ridgelines in the eastern sector. Accumulating easterly snowdrifts in areas adjacent to ridgelines. Small additional load could trigger small slab avalanches.
Snowpack
South of the Alps the snow base is small without significant weak layers. In high shady slopes some spores with faceted snow layers are located which provide little stability. On Sunday in Niedere Tauern and the eastern sector drift snow deposits will form which are not sufficient connected with the snow base.
Tendency
The weather will calm down on Monday, avalanche danger stays low.
