Danger level

2200m

Persistent weak layer

2200m

Fresh snowdrifts and old snow are main danger. Loose-snow and glide-snow avalanches due to higher temperatures.

At high altitudes, fresh snowdrift accumulations are often still 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 be triggered in the old snow anda grow to medium size. At low altitudes and particularly on sunny slopes, moist loose-snow avalanches and small-to-medium glide-snow avalanches can trigger due to the higher temperatures.

Snowpack

The most recent snowfall and snowdrifts are deposited mostly on steep shady slopes atop metamorphosed old snowpack layers or atop surface hoar, 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

Snowdrifts and old snow are the main danger at high altitudes. At low altitudes, slides and small glide-snow avalanches are possible, esp. on steep sunny slopes.

Danger level

2400m

Persistent weak layer		2400m
Wet snow		2400m

Persistent weak layer at high altitudes: caution!

Avalanche danger abover 2400m is moderate, below that altitude danger is low. Main danger: persistent weak layer Slabs can be triggered even by one single skier, particularly on W/N/E facing slopes, in transitions from shallow to deep snow. Avalanches can reach medium size During the course of the day, small wet-snow slides can trigger naturally due to higher temperatures and solar radiation, particularly on south-facing slopes below 2400m and in extremely steep terrain (>40°). In addition, small glide-snow avalanches are possible in all aspects at any time of day or night. Small slabs in the snowdrifts are triggerable only in few places: near ridglines, on shady slopes from minimum additional loading.

Snowpack

In high alpine regions there are faceted layers inside the old snowpack which are often covered by hardened layers. In addition, there are still loose layers near the surface which are covered. At lower and intermediate altitudes the snowpack is moistened by higher temperatures, in places it is completely wet. Overnight a melt-freeze crust can form in these places which then softens up during the daytime. The snowpack currently evidences no marked weak layers. On grass-covered slopes and over rocky plates, the entire snowpack can start to glide.

Tendency

On Thursday, little change is expected. On Friday, snowdrift problem will intensify due to fresh snowfall and winds.

Danger level

2200m

Persistent weak layer		2200m
Wet snow

Snowpack

Tendency

Danger level

2400m

Persistent weak layer

2400m

Weak layers in old snow require attentiveness.

Avalanches can be triggered in the weak old snow even by one single skier, esp. on shady slopes abovbe 2400m in transition zones into gullies and bowls. Avalanches are often medium-sized. Frequency and size of danger zones tend to increase with ascending altitude. In addition, fresher snowdrift accumulations on NW/N/E facing slopes are still prone to triggering, particularly on shady, wind-protected slopes.

Due to higher temperatures, isolated loose-snow avalanches will be possible during the course of the day, particularly on extremely steep sunny slopes, especially along the Salzburg border in case of extended bright intervals.

Snowpack

dp.1: deep persistent weak layer

Strong-velocity winds have intensively transported the fresh and old snow. At intermediate levels of the old snowpack on shady, wind-protected slopes there are faceted, metamorphosed weak layers. Weather conditions are reinforcing a gradual consolidation of the snowpack on SE/S/SW facing slopes, particularly above 2600m. At all altitudes there is too little snow on the ground for this juncture of the season. The snowpack is highly irregular over small areas.

Tendency

Avalanche danger levels will gradually recede.

Danger level

Wet snow

Snowpack

Tendency

Danger level

2200m

Wind slab

2200m

Consider snowdrift in higher altitudes!

Moderate avalanche danger above 1.900 m. Caution in the beginning of gullies and bowls above 1.900 m in the eastern and northern sectors. Slab avalanches are possible with high additional loads. Spontaneous small wet snow avalanches (if base is on leaflayer) are possible in medium altitudes due to warming.

Snowpack

During the last 24 hours 10 to 15 cm new snow in the northern region (Nordstau). Wind gusts drifted the snow to high altitudes. Fresh drift snow covers surface hoar or soft snow layers in the northern sector. Due to sunlight and warming the snowcover looses its strength. In the area of Hochschwab and Veitsch it rained up to around 1.400 m. There the snow is thoroughly moist.

Tendency

Decreasing danger of slab avalanches.

Danger level

Wet snow

Snowpack

Tendency

Danger level

Wet snow

Snowpack

Tendency

Danger level

2200m

Wet snow		2200m
Wind slab		2200m

Snowpack

Tendency

Danger level

Wet snow

Avalanche danger is mostly low. Slides and glide-snow avalanches due to higher temperatures.

Isolated danger zones are evident in extremely steep terrain. Small avalanches are possible there. Apart from the risks of being buried in snow masses, the danger of being forced to take a fall also requires consideration. Particularly on sunny slopes, moist loose-snow slides are possible. On steep grass-covered slopes where snowfall has been heavier, small glide-snow avalanches are also possible.

Snowpack

Due to milder temperatures, the snowpack has settled further and been able to consolidate. Fresh snow and drifts from recent days are generally well bonded with the old snowpack surface. During the daytime the uppermost layers are weakened due to higher temperatures and solar radiation. All in all, the snow depths are below average.

Tendency

Avalanche danger levels are not expected to change significantly. Slides and small glide-snow avalanches are still possible.

Danger level

No distinct avalanche problem

Low avalanche danger. Not much snow.

Avalanche danger is low. Due to higher temperatures and solar radiation, small loose-snow slides can release naturally during the course of the day.

Snowpack

Due to rising temperatures, the snowpack has receded and is moistened at surface level up to intermediate altitudes, or else utterly wet. Overnight a melt-freeze crust can form which will then soften up during the daytime. The snowpack evidences currently no marked weak layers. There is, all in all, little snow on the ground.

Tendency

Little change expected in avalanche danger levels

Danger level

Wet snow

Snowpack

Tendency

Danger level

Wet snow

Loose-snow slides during the daytime in extremely steep terrain

Snowpack

Tendency

Danger level

No distinct avalanche problem

Generally good weather conditions!

Low avalanche danger. Caution: spontaneous small loose-snow avalanches increasing risk especially on sunny slopes.

Snowpack

Snow base is still thin without significant weak layers. Only in high shady slopes the snow base is built by faceted snow crystals without sufficient stability. Due to warming and radiation the snow cover will get moist and temporarily unstable especially in southern areas in low altitudes.

Tendency

Very mild. South of the Mur-Mürzfurche the soil gets bare. Temperatures on Wednesday in 2.000 m will be around 5 degrees. In 1.500 it can get 2digit plus. Some wet loose-snow avalanches are possible in Niedere Tauern.