As a result of resh snow and increasingly stormy winds, wide-reaching snowdrift accumulations have been generated particularly in gullies and bowls and behind protruberances in the landscape. These drifts can be triggered easily by one single skier, or trigger naturally, in all aspects above 2200m. Avalanches can fracture down to more deeply embedded layers inside the snowpack on shady slopes in particular, and then grow to larger size. Whumpf noises and glide-cracks when the snowpack is tred upon are indicators of danger. Frequency and size of danger zones tend to increase with ascending altitude.
Snowpack
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind dp.1: deep persistent weak layer
Since Friday there has been 15-20cm of fresh snow along the Salzburg border. In the afternoon, 10-15 cm of fresh snow is anticipated. Moderate winds will transporte the fresh snow. The cold fresh snow and fresh snowdrifts which lie deposited particularly in gullies, bowls and behind irregularities in the landscape, lie atop a weak old snowpack surface in all aspects above 2200m. Inside the old snowpack on shady wind-protected slopes there are faceted, expansively metamorphosed layers, particularly above 2200m. Naturally triggered and artificially triggered avalanches have brought to light the unfavorable snowpack layering. The snowpack is highly irregular over small areas.
At high altitudes slab avalanches can grow to large size.
Avalanche danger above the treeline is considerable, below that altitude avalanche danger is low. The main problem: fresh and older snowdrifts. In some places, slab avalanches can be triggered even by minimum additional loading; at high altitudes, isolated slabs can be large. Avalanche prone locations are found adjacent to and distant from ridges in steep terrain in NW/W/S aspects as well as in wind-loaded gullies and bowls. At high altitudes, avalanches can fracture down to weak layers embedded in the old snow. Where precipitation is heaviest, in addition small to medium-sized loose snow avalanches can trigger naturally in extremely steep terrain.
Snowpack
Due to strong westerly winds and the onset of snowfall the snow will be transported. Intermediate layers that are prone to triggering can be embedded in the fresh snowdrift accumulations. In leeward areas the old snowpack is in many places superficially moist and homogenous. Here and there, large faceted crystals have formed underneath near-surface melt-freeze crusts. More deeply embedded in the snowpack there are also soft expansively metamorphosed layers close to crusts at high altitudes.
Tendency
Rising avalanche danger due to continuing snowfall and wind.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Persistent weak layer
2200m
Snowdrifts are the main problem. Slab avalanches in the snowdrifts can fracture in ground-level layers
Avalanche danger above the treeline is considerable, below that altitude danger is low. Slab avalanches of medium size can in some places be triggered even by minimum additional loading, i.e. the weight of one person, especially in gullies and bowls and behind irregularities in the landscape on NW/N/SE facing slopes. In high alpine places the danger zones are possible in all aspects in gullies and bowls. In some places above 2200m they can fracture down to deeper weak layers in the old snow and thereby grow to large size. Settling noises and glide-cracks are indicators of imminent danger. Isolated naturally triggered avalanches are also possible at high altitudes. Snowdrift accumulations are difficult to recognize due to poor visibility. As a result of rain impact at intermediate altitudes, small naturally triggered wet-snow slides and glide-snow avalanches are possible.
Snowpack
The fresh fallen snow has been heftily transported. Inside the fresh snow and drifts, weak layers are forming near the surface (graupel and decomposed snow), bonding is generally good. Above 2000m the fresh snow and drifts have often been deposited atop faceted crystals near crusts, in some places surface hoar has been blanketed on shady, wind-protected slopes above the treeline. Deeper down inside the old snowpack fundament there are soft layers lodged between hard layers at high altitudes. At low and intermediate altitudes the old snowpack beneath the fresh fallen snow is melt-freeze encrusted. The entire snowpack can start to glide over steep rock plates or grassy slopes. The fresh fallen snow has been heftily transported. Inside the fresh snow, short-lived weak layers are forming near the surface. At low and intermediate altitudes the old snowpack is generally well consolidated. Above 2000m the fresh snow and drifts are often faceted near crusts. In some places on shady wind-protected slopes above the treeline, surface hoar has formed. The entire snowpack can glide over steep rock plates or grassy slopes. The fresh fallen snow has been heftily transported. Inside the fresh snow, short-lived weak layers are forming near the surface. At high altitudes the fresh snow is falling atop a generatlly wind-compressed snowpack surface where the bonding is good. IAbove 2000m the fresh snow and drifts have often been deposited atop faceted crystals near crusts, in some places surface hoar has been blanketed on shady, wind-protected slopes above the treeline. Deeper down inside the old snowpack fundament there are soft layers lodged between hard layers at high altitudes. At low and intermediate altitudes the old snowpack beneath the fresh fallen snow is melt-freeze encrusted. The entire snowpack can start to glide over steep rock plates or grassy slopes.
Tendency
On Sunday, fresh snowfall and winds will lead to increasing avalanche danger levels.
Danger level
1800m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
1800m
Evaluate snowdrift accumulations on shady slopes with great caution
Due to fresh snowfall and increasily stormy winds, far-reaching snowdrift accumulations are being generated, particularly on shady slopes above 1800m: easily triggered or triggering naturally. Gullies and bowls are unfavorable, since weak layers are evident inside the old snow. Avalanches are sometimes medium-sized. Apart from the risk of being buried in snow masses, you also need to take the dangers of being swept along and forced to take a fall into consideration on extremely steep slopes. In addition, some small loose-snow avalanches can be expected especially at the foot of rock cliffs on extremely steep sunny slopes.
Snowpack
dp.1: deep persistent weak layer
Since Friday there has been up to 25cm of fresh snow along the Salzburg border, locally more. The often strong winds have transported the fresh snowfall. Snowdrift accumulations cover a weak old snowpack surface on shady slopes above 1800m. The old snowpack is faceted and expansively metamorphosed. The snowpack is highly irregular even over small areas.
Tendency
Avalanche danger levels are not expected to change significantly.
Avalanche danger levels above the treeline are moderate, below that altitude danger is low. Snowdrifts are the major problem. Slab. avalanches of medium size can be triggered even by minimum additional loading, particularly near to ridgelines on N/E/SW facing slopes. Danger zones are difficult to recognize due to diffuse light conditions. Avalanche danger above the treeline is considerable, below that altitude danger is low. Snowdrift accumulations are the main problem. Slab avalanches of medium size can in some places b e triggered even by minimum additional loading, i.e. the weight of one person. In some places above 2200m they can fracture down to deeper weak layers in the old snow and thereby grow to large size. Danger zones can be difficult to recognize due to diffuse light conditions. They occur also distant from ridgelines and on slopes in NW/N/SE aspects. On the Main Alpine Ridge, danger. zones occur in all aspects. In some places, the snowdrifts have been blanketed over, making them difficult to recognize. Avalanche danger above the treeline is considerable, below that altitude danger is low. Snowdrift accumulations are the main problem. Slab avalanches of medium size can in some places b e triggered even by minimum additional loading, i.e. the weight of one person. In some places above 2200m they can fracture down to deeper weak layers in the old snow and thereby grow to large size. Danger zones can be difficult to recognize due to diffuse light conditions. They occur also distant from ridgelines and on slopes in NW/N/SE aspects. On the Main Alpine Ridge, danger. zones occur in all aspects. In some places, the snowdrifts have been blanketed over, making them difficult to recognize.
Snowpack
The fresh fallen snow has been heftily transported. Inside the fresh snow, short-lived weak layers are forming near the surface. At low and intermediate altitudes the old snowpack is generally well consolidated. Above 2000m the fresh snow and drifts are often faceted near crusts. In some places on shady wind-protected slopes above the treeline, surface hoar has formed. The entire snowpack can glide over steep rock plates or grassy slopes. The fresh fallen snow has been heftily transported. Inside the fresh snow, short-lived weak layers are forming near the surface. At high altitudes the fresh snow is falling atop a generatlly wind-compressed snowpack surface where the bonding is good. IAbove 2000m the fresh snow and drifts have often been deposited atop faceted crystals near crusts, in some places surface hoar has been blanketed on shady, wind-protected slopes above the treeline. Deeper down inside the old snowpack fundament there are soft layers lodged between hard layers at high altitudes. At low and intermediate altitudes the old snowpack beneath the fresh fallen snow is melt-freeze encrusted. The entire snowpack can start to glide over steep rock plates or grassy slopes.
Tendency
On Sunday, fresh snowfall and winds will lead to increasing avalanche danger levels.
Danger level
1800m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
1800m
Fresh snowdrift!
Moderate avalanche danger above 1.800 m. Wind slab problem! The new snow and the snowdrift covers danger spots. The danger spots are located in the sectors north to southeast. In the beginning of gullies and bowls an individual person can trigger a slab avalanche which can have a size of 1 to 2.
Snowpack
Till Sunday evening around 20 cm new snow is expected. The new snow and the snowdrift covers a soft layer from Friday above the tree line. Potential weak layers are found within the driftsnow layer and at the transition to the old snow cover.
Tendency
Slab avalanche danger in high altitudes doesn´t change.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Snowpack
Tendency
Danger level
1800m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
1800m
Evaluate freshly generated snowdrift accumulations on shady slopes with great caution.
Due to fresh snowfall and increasily stormy winds, far-reaching snowdrift accumulations are being generated, particularly on shady slopes above 1800m: easily triggered or triggering naturally. Avalanches are mostly small-sized.
Snowpack
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
Up to 20cm of fresh snow was registered, locally more. The often storm-strength winds have intensively transported the snow. The fresh snowdrift accumulations blanket a weak old snowpack surface on shady slopes above 1800m. The old snowpack is faceted. The snowpack is highly irregular, even over small areas.
Tendency
Avalanche danger levels are not expected to change significantly.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Ten to maximally 20 centimeters of new snow accompanied by wind
Avalanche danger above the treeline is moderate, below that altitude avalanche danger is low. Main problem: snowdrifts. In some places, slab avalanches can be triggered even by minimum additional loading and can be medium-sized. Avalanche prone locations are found adjacent to and distant from ridges in steep terrain in NW/W/S aspects as well as in wind-loaded gullies and bowls. At high altitudes, avalanches can fracture down to weak layers embedded in the old snow.
Snowpack
Due to strong westerly winds and the onset of snowfall the snow will be transported. Intermediate layers that are prone to triggering can be embedded in the fresh snowdrift accumulations. In leeward areas the old snowpack is in many places superficially moist and homogenous. Here and there, large faceted crystals have formed underneath near-surface melt-freeze crusts. More deeply embedded in the snowpack there are also soft expansively metamorphosed layers close to crusts at high altitudes.
Tendency
Due to strong westerly winds and the onset of snowfall the snow will be transported. Intermediate layers that are prone to triggering can be embedded in the fresh snowdrift accumulations. In leeward areas the old snowpack is in many places superficially moist and homogenous. Here and there, large faceted crystals have formed underneath near-surface melt-freeze crusts. More deeply embedded in the snowpack there are also soft expansively metamorphosed layers close to crusts at high altitudes.
Danger level
1600m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
1600m
Snowpack
Tendency
Danger level
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
New snow and snowdrift in high altitudes!
Low avalanche danger. A little more danger spots formed due to snowdrift. These are located in gullies and bowls above 1.800 m mainly in the sector east. Slab avalanches can be triggered by high additional loads.
Snowpack
In the southern mountains and in northeast Styria the snow base is still thin. The new snow landed on surface hoar - on the sunny side on grass. The snow base is thin and shows no significant weak layers. Blown off areas are hard and icy.
