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
2400m
Avalanche Problem
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
2200m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2200m
Weak layers in the old snow are the major danger.
At high altitudes, older snowdrift accumulations and weak layers 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. At low altitudes on grass-covered slopes, small glide-snow avalanches can trigger.
Snowpack
Older snowdrift accumulations lie deposited mostly on steep shady slopes atop expansively metamorphosed layers or atop surface hoar. Bonding to the old snowpack surface deteriorates with increasing altitude. At high-altitude levels on shady slopes and in places where the snow is shallow, faceted layers are evident in the snowpack. On sunny slopes and at low altituders, the upermost layers of the snowpack are often encrusted due to solar radiaition and higher temperatures. All in all, snow depths are highly varied, ridges are often uttler windblown or with little snow, gullies and bowls are filled to the brim with snow.
Tendency
Avalanche danger will increase slightly on Friday due to fresh fallen snow and wind impact.
Danger level
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
Snowpack
Tendency
Danger level
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
Snowpack
Tendency
Danger level
Avalanche Problem
Gliding snow
Avalanche danger is mostly low. Isolated glide-snow avalanches.
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 will increase slightly on Friday due to fresh fallen snow and wind impact.
Danger level
2200m
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
2200m
Persistent weak layer
2200m
Snowpack
Tendency
Danger level
Avalanche Problem
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
Avalanche Problem
No distinct avalanche problem
Generally good weather conditions-little snow!
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 especially in southern areas.
Tendency
Thursday will get very mild and sunny. Temperatures in 2.000 m will be around +8 degrees.
Danger level
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
Snowpack
Tendency
Danger level
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
Loose-snow slides during the daytime in extremely steep terrain
Avalanche danger is low. Due to higher temperatures and solar radiation, small loose-snow avalanches can trigger naturally in extremely steep terrain (>40°). Also small glide-snow avalanches are possible at any time of day or night in all aspects. In exposed high altitude terrain near ridgelines, isolated small slabs can be triggered even by minimum additional loading, the spots are easily recognized. Danger of being forced to take a fall outweighs the risks of being buried in snow masses
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. On grass-covered slopes or rocky plates the entire snowpack could begin to glide away. At high altitudes the near-surface loose-snow layers are often blanketed.
Tendency
On Thursday, little change is expected. On Friday, snowdrift problem will intensify due to fresh snowfall and winds.
Danger level
2000m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2000m
Wet snow
Heed risk of taking a fall in steep terrain.
Avalanche danger is low. Small wet loose snow avalanches can release spontaneously on very steep sun-exposed slopes. Isolated glide snow avalanches can release on steep smooth grass-covered slopes.
Snowpack
The snowpack is thoroughly moist. A thin melt-freeze crust can form during the night which the sun will soften again during the day. The snowpack is wet where it touches the ground, i.e. it can start gliding over smooth ground. Snow depths vary. Ridges and crests are blown bare; south-facing slopes are becoming increasingly bare. All in all, there is little snow.
Tendency
Hardly any changes of avalanche danger by Thursday. After Thursday, avalanche danger will rise due to forecast snowfall and wind.
Danger level
Avalanche Problem
No distinct avalanche problem
Very warm in all altitudes!
Low avalanche danger. Caution in the beginning of gullies and bowls above 2.200 m in the northern sector. Slab avalanches are possible with high additional loads. Small wet snow avalanches are possible in all heights due to warming.
Snowpack
the snow cover has settled. Snowdrift covers surface hoar/soft snow layer above 2 .000m in the northern sector. Due to radiotion and warming the stabilit of the snow cover variies during the day. in medium altitudes wet snow.
