In high alpine regions avalanches can fracture in the old snowpack
Avalanche danger increases with ascending alttiude, above the treeline danger 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 sun-bathed steep terrain, naturally triggered small wet loose-snow avalanches can release, and small glide-snow avalanches are possible in steep grassy terrain.
Snowpack
Since Friday there has been 15-30 cm of fresh snow registered widespread, up to 40 cm over small areas on the Main Alpine Ridge of the Glockner and Venediger Massifs (with graupel). Stromy W/NW winds have transported the snow far-reachingly. Fresh snow and drifts cover surface hoar in shady, wind-protected zones, also older drifts (generated by southerly foehn winds from last week) at high altitudes. The snowpack base above 2400m is often weakened by layers of faceted crystals. Their proneness to triggering has diminished somewhat at high altitudes due to higher temperatures (there was brief rainfall up to 2200m). At low and intermediate altitudes the snowpack is intensely moistened due to solar radiation and higher temperatures, and is thus losing its firmness.
Tendency
The snowdrifts’ proneness to triggering is slowly decreasing. Otherwise, little change expected on Wednesday.
Danger level
1800m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
1800m
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 near to and distant from ridgelines, 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, also small loose-snow avalanches.
Snowpack
Since the weekend there has been 10-15 cm of fresh snow registered widespread, up to 30 cm over small areas on the Main Tauern Ridge and in the Leogang Steinberge and on Hochkönig (with graupel). Stromy W/NW winds have transported the snow far-reachingly. Fresh snow and drifts cover surface hoar in shady, wind-protected zones, also older drifts (generated by southerly foehn winds from last week) at high altitudes. The snowpack base above 2400m is often weakened by layers of faceted crystals. On very steep grassy slopes the snowpack can often glide over smooth ground. Their proneness to triggering has diminished somewhat at high altitudes due to higher temperatures (there was brief rainfall up to 2200m). At low and intermediate altitudes the snowpack is intensely moistened due to solar radiation and higher temperatures, and is thus losing its firmness.
Tendency
Little change expected on Wednesday.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Wet snow
2200m
Snowpack forfeiting its firmness on steep sunny slopes
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 near to and distant from ridgelines, behind protruberances in the landscape as well as in steep gullies and bowls, particularly on N/SE facing slopes. At low and intermediate altitudes, particularly on sunny slopes, naturally triggered small wet loose-snow avalanches can release, on very steep, unstructured terrain, e.g. grassy slopes, also naturally triggered glide-snow avalanches.
Snowpack
Since the weekend there has been 10-20 cm of fresh snow registered widespread (with graupel). Stromy W/NW winds have transported the snow far-reachingly. Fresh snow and drifts cover surface hoar in shady, wind-protected zones, at higher altitudes it covers older snowdrift accumulations. Their proneness to triggering has diminished somewhat at high altitudes due to higher temperatures (there was brief rainfall up to 2200m). At low and intermediate altitudes the snowpack is intensely moistened due to solar radiation and higher temperatures, and is thus losing its firmness.
Tendency
Little change expected on Wednesday.
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/S 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.
