Critical avalanche situation widespread in backcountry
Above 2000m, high avalanche danger prevails. Trigger-sensitive fresh snow and fresh drifts are prone to triggering. Avalanche are likely to be triggered by even one single winter sports enthusiast. If they fracture down to deeper layers of the snowpack they can grow to large size. Frequency and spread of danger zones tend to increase with ascending altitude and through the course of the day. Older danger zones have been blanketed by fresh snow, making them difficult to recognize. Older danger zones have now been blanketed by fresh snow and are difficult to recognize. Whumpf noises and glide cracks when you tread upon the snowpack are signals of danger. In addition, increaingly frequent naturally triggered avalanches are anticipated. At low altitudes on steep grass-covered slopes, small to medium glide-snow avalanches are possible.
Snowpack
By Tuesday afternoon, an additional 30-50cm of fresh snow is forecast, accompanied by brisk to strong N/NW winds and transporting the fresh fallen snow. Fresh snow and drifts are not well bonded with the old snowpack, making them prone to triggering. In the uppermost part are weak layers (covered graupel inside the latest snowdrifts and at the bordering layer to the old snow). At high altitudes on shady slopes, weak layers are evident widespread in the old snowpack, down to which avalanches could fracture.
Tendency
As snowfall tapers off and weather conditions quiet down, avalanche danger levels will decrease. But fresh snow and drifts remain prone to triggering.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
New snow
Treeline
Gliding snow
Snowpack
Tendency
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
New snow
Treeline
Wind slab
Fresh snow and fresh drifts are prone to triggering.
Trigger-sensitive fresh snow and fresh drifts deposited atop an often weak snowpack: thus, avalanche danger above the treeline is high. Avalanches can be easily triggered even by one single winter sports enthusiast and grow to large size. If avalanches above 2200m fracture down to weak layers they can grow even to very large size. Frequency and spread of danger zones tend to increase with ascending altitude and through the course of the day. Older danger zones have been blanketed by fresh snow, making them difficult to recognize. Whumpf noises and glide cracks when you tread upon the snowpack are signals of danger. In addition, increaingly frequent naturally triggered avalanches are anticipated. At low altitudes on steep grass-covered slopes, small to medium glide-snow avalanches are possible.
Snowpack
By Tuesday afternoon, an additional 15-30cm of fresh snow is forecast, accompanied by brisk to strong N/NW winds and transporting the fresh fallen snow. Fresh snow and drifts are not well bonded with the old snowpack, making them prone to triggering. In the uppermost part are weak layers (covered graupel inside the latest snowdrifts and at the bordering layer to the old snow). At high altitudes on shady slopes, weak layers are evident widespread in the old snowpack, down to which avalanches could fracture.
Tendency
Fresh snow and drifts remain prone to triggering
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Wind slab
Treeline
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. Avalanche danger will increase during the daytime, particularly from the west. Medium sized slab avalanches from snowdrifts can be triggered even by minimum additional loading above the greeline, particularly in gullies and bowls and behind protruberances in the landscape in all aspects. Above 2200m avalanches can be triggered from more deeply embedded layers inside the snowpack and often grow to large size. Settling noises and glide-craceks are indicators of danger. Isolated naturally triggered avalanches are possible at high altitudes.
Snowpack
An additional 10-20cm of snowfall will be added to what has already fallen. The fresh snow was transported far-reachingly. Exposed ridges and crests are windblown, gullies and bowls are filled to the brim. Inside the fresh and older drifts there are weak near-surface layers (graupel, decomposed snow). The bonding to the old snow at low and intermediate altitudes is generally good. Above 2000m the snowdrifts often lie atop faceted crystals near crusts. On wind-protected shady slopes above the trereline there is often surface hoar. Above 2200m the snowpack layering is unfavorable, with several weak layers of faceted crystals. The entire snowpack can glide over steep rock plates or grassy slopes.
Tendency
On Wednesday avalanche danger levels will not increase significantly.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
New snow
Treeline
Wind slab
Persistent weak layer
2200m
Fresh snow and drifts prone to triggering
Trigger-sensitive fresh snow and fresh drifts deposited atop an often weak snowpack: thus, avalanche danger above the treeline is high. Avalanches can be easily triggered even by one single winter sports enthusiast and grow to larger size. If avalanches above 2200m fracture down to weak layers they can grow even to very large size. Frequency and spread of danger zones tend to increase with ascending altitude and through the course of the day. Older danger zones have been blanketed by fresh snow, making them difficult to recognize. Whumpf noises and glide cracks when you tread upon the snowpack are signals of danger. In addition, increaingly frequent naturally triggered avalanches are anticipated. At low altitudes on steep grass-covered slopes, small to medium glide-snow avalanches are possible.
Snowpack
By Tuesday afternoon, an additional 30-50cm of fresh snow is forecast, accompanied by brisk to strong N/NW winds and transporting the fresh fallen snow. Fresh snow and drifts are not well bonded with the old snowpack, making them prone to triggering. In the uppermost part are weak layers (covered graupel inside the latest snowdrifts and at the bordering layer to the old snow). At high altitudes on shady slopes, weak layers are evident widespread in the old snowpack, down to which avalanches could fracture.
Tendency
Fresh snow and drifts remain prone to triggering
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
New snow
Many avalanche prone locations in all aspects
Avalanche danger above the treeline is considerable, danger below that altitude is moderate. Main problem: snowdrifts. Slab avalanches can be triggered even by minimum additional loading. Avalanche prone locations are mainly found above the timberline in steep ridgeline terrain as well as in wind loaded gullies and bowls, but also in some forest aisles and clearances. At higher altitude in high precipitation areas avalanches can also become large. In addition, the fresh snow that fell during the last few days can trigger naturally. This will mainly happen in steep rocky terrain in the form of loose snow avalanches. Isolated glide snow avalanches cannot be excluded.
Snowpack
The anticipated snowfall will be accompanied by heavy northerly winds. As a result, large-sized snowdrifts will accumulate on the loose snowpack surface. Partly, snowdrifts and old snowpack will only bond poorly; additionally, weak intermediate layers--some of them consisting of graupel--are imbedded in the snow cover of the last few days. Particularly at high altitudes there are weak layers consisting of faceted crystals located near crusts deeply embedded inside the snowpack which can be prone to triggering. At lower altitudes the snowpack is moist down to the ground; however, gliding movements over smooth grass-covered slopes are an exception.
Tendency
Avalanche danger levels remain tense. Depending on the amount of snowfall intensity they could increase further by mid-week.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Wind slab
Treeline
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 from snowdrifts 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 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 will be difficult to recognize in afternoon due to poor visibility.
Snowpack
An additional 10-20cm of snowfall will be added to what has already fallen. The fresh snow was transported far-reachingly. Exposed ridges and crests are windblown, gullies and bowls are filled to the brim. Inside the fresh and older drifts there are weak near-surface layers (graupel, decomposed snow). The bonding to the old snow at low and intermediate altitudes is generally good. Above 2000m the snowdrifts often lie atop faceted crystals near crusts. On wind-protected shady slopes above the trereline there is often surface hoar. Above 2200m the snowpack layering is unfavorable, with several weak layers of faceted crystals. The entire snowpack can glide over steep rock plates or grassy slopes.
Tendency
On Wednesday avalanche danger levels will not increase significantly.
Danger level
1600m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
1600m
Wind slab
1600m
Fresh snowdrift and poor visibility!
Moderate to considerable avalanche danger above 1.600 m. The main problem is the fresh snowdrift, danger spots are located distant from ridgelines. Snowdrift deposits emerge adjacent to ridgelines, in gullies and bowls and can also occur below the treeline. Medium sized slab avalanches can be triggered by low additional loads.
Snowpack
On Monday cold new snow has landed on wet snow or - in higher altitudes - powder snow. In westerly Northalps 40 cm new snow is expected for Christmas which can be transported due to stormy winds. The summits can be blown-off but driftsnow can accumulate below treeline. Soft layers within the snowdrift and poor bonding to the old snow base can be weak layers.
Tendency
For now no significant change of the avalanche danger. On 26th a slow settling duetting warming is expected.
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 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. Remote triggerings are possible.
Whumpf noises and glide-cracks when the snowpack is tred upon are indicators of danger.
Snowpack
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind dp.1: deep persistent weak layer
Since Friday there has been up to 30m of fresh snow along the Salzburg border. Regionally another 15 cm is anticipated, locally more.
Often storm-strengh winds will transport 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.
Observers in outlying terrain report of naturally triggered avalanche releases, thus confirming the poor quality of the snowpack. Over small areas, it is highly irregular.
Tendency
Circumvent snowdrift accumulations, both freshly generate and older ones
Avalanche danger levels above the treeline are moderate, below that altitude danger is low. Snowdrifts of medium size can be triggered even by minimum additional loading above the treeline, near gulliees and bowls on NW/N/SE facing slopes. Below the treeline the avalanches will mostly be small sized. Above 2200m avalanches can trigger in more deeply embedded weak layers inside the snowpack and in isolated cases grow to large size. Snowdrifts can be difficult to recognize due to poor visibility.
Snowpack
The fresh fallen snow has been heftily transported. Inside the fresh snow, short-lived weak layers are forming near the surface (graupel, decomposed snow). At low and intermediate altitudes the bonding is 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. On wind-protected shady slopes above the treeline there is often surface hoar. Above the treeline there is surface hoar evident. Above 2200m the snowpack layering is unfavorable, there are several weak layers of faceted crystals. The entire snowpack can glide away over steep rock places or grass-covered slopes.
Tendency
On Wednesday avalanche danger levels will not increase significantly.
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.
Snowpack
dp.1: deep persistent weak layer
Snowdrift accumulations cover a weak old snowpack surface on shady slopes and in general above 1800m. The old snowpack is weak, with facetd crystals. The snowpack is highly irregular even over small areas.
Tendency
Avalanche danger levels are not expected to change significantly.
Danger level
1600m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
1600m
Snowpack
Tendency
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Moderate snowdrift problem above the treeline
Avalanche danger levels above the treeline are moderate, below that altitude danger is low. Snowdrifts of medium size can be triggered even by minimum additional loading above the treeline, near gulliees and bowls on NW/N/SE facing slopes. Below the treeline the avalanches will mostly be small sized. Above 2200m avalanches can trigger in more deeply embedded weak layers inside the snowpack and in isolated cases grow to large size. Snowdrifts can be difficult to recognize due to poor visibility.
Snowpack
The fresh fallen snow has been heftily transported. Exposed ridges and crests are windblown, gullies and bowls near the treeline are often filled. Inside the fresh and older drifts there are weak near-surface layers. The bonding to the old snow above the treeline is inadequiate, several weak layers are evident with faceted crystals.
Tendency
On Wednesday avalanche danger levels will not increase significantly.
Danger level
1700m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
1700m
Some snowdrift in higher altitudes!
Moderate avalanche danger above 1.700 m. Rising danger spots due to stormy winds which are located in gullies and bowls above 1.600 m in the sectors east to south. Slab avalanches can be triggered with small additional loads.
Snowpack
In the southern Styrian mountains and easternmost alps the snowcover is still thin. New snow has landed on surface hoar - in sunny slopes on grass. The snow base is thicker in gullies and bowls due to transported snow. Possible weak layers within snowdrift as soft layers. Blown-off areas are hard and icy.
Tendency
Avalanche danger will not decrease before 26th.
Danger level
1800m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
1800m
Evaluate freshly generated snowdrift accumulations on shady slopes with great caution.
Over the last few days, most shallow snowdrifts have accumulated in gullies and bowls. These can be triggered by large additional loading in isolated cases above 1800m, the releases will be small sized.
Snowpack
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
Above 1800m the snowdrift accumulations cover a weak old snowpack on shady slopes. The old snowpack is often expansively metamorphosed, with faceted crystals. The snowpack is highly irregular even over small areas.
Tendency
Avalanche danger levels are not expected to change significantly.
Danger level
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Little snowdrift in higher altitudes.
Low Avalanche danger. Slightly increasing danger spots due to stormy winds and snow drift which are located in gullies and bowls above 1.600 m mainly in the sectors east to south. Slab avalanches can be triggered with high additional loads.
Snowpack
In the southern Styrian mountains and easternmost alps the snowcover is still thin. New snow has landed on surface hoar - in sunny slopes on grass. The snow base is thin without significant weak layers. Blown-off areas are hard and icy.
