Current avalanche situation demands high restraint in outlying terrain from winter sports enthusiasts
Persistent weak layer and trigger-sensitive snowdrifts demand high restraint in outlying terrain from winter sports enthusiasts
Avalanche danger above 2200m is considerable, below that altitude danger is moderate. Avalanches can be triggered even by minimum additional loading above the treeline, 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, esp. on W/N/E facing slopes. Settling noises and glide-craeks are indicators of danger, remote triggerings possible. As a result of solar radiation, naturally triggered, generally small-sized loose-snow avalanches can be expected on extremely steep sunny slopes.
Snowpack
The fresh snow has been 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. Above 2000m the snowdrifts often lie atop faceted crystals near crusts. On wind-protected shady slopes above the treeline 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
The proneness to triggering of snowdrift accumulations will gradually diminish. The persistent weak layer will remain.
Danger level
2000m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
2000m
Gliding snow
2000m
Circumvent snowdrift masses and glide-cracks
Avalanche danger above 2000m is considerable, below that altitude danger is moderate. Slab avalanches can be triggered even by the weight of one sole person. Danger zones occur in steep ridgeline terrain in all aspects and in wind-loaded gullies and bowls. At high altitudes isolated avalanches can grow to large size. Glide-snow avalanche activity is increasing. Glide-snow avalanches can trigger naturally at any time of day or night, particularly on south-facing steep grass-covered slopes at intermediate altitudes. They can grow to medium size.
Snowpack
Fresh snowdrift accumulations are being generated in ridgeline terrain at high altitudes on west-facing slopes. Elsewhere in all aspects and in general at high altitudes, loose powder covers the snowpack consisting of older drifted layers, often deep. Inside the snow masses of recent days in the uppermost half-metre of the snowpack there is often a trigger-sensitive weak layer beneath a marked melt-freeze crust. During the course of the day the snowpack surface will become moist on sunny slopes, during the nighttime hours a thin melt-freeze crust will form. At low altitudes the snowpack is moist down to the ground. Gliding movements over smooth grass-covered slopes have been observed increasingly frequently.
Tendency
Avalanche danger levels will diminish in the stable weather and mild temperatures towards the end of the week.
Danger level
2300m
Avalanche Problem
New snow
2300m
Persistent weak layer
2400m
Gliding snow
2000m
Considerable avalanche danger widespread in backcountry
Fresh snow and drifts are prone to triggering in some places. Danger zones occur particularly behind protruberances in the terrain and in wind-loaded steep terrain. Avalanches can be triggered even by the weight of one sole skier. If avalanches fracture down to deeper layers of the snowpack they can grow to large size. At low altitudes on steep grassy slopes, increasingly frequent small-to-medium glide-snow avalanches are possible. Due to solar radiatilon, loose-snow slides and avalanches can be expected in rocky terrain.
Snowpack
The large amounts of fresh fallen snow and drifts, particularly at high altitudes, are poorly bonded with the old snowpack, making them prone to triggering. In the upper part of the snow layering there are weak layers evident (blanketed graupel / inside the latest snowdrift layers). At high altitudes on shady slopes there are weak layers inside the old snowpack, down to which avalanches can fracture.
Tendency
Danger level
2000m
Avalanche Problem
New snow
2000m
Gliding snow
2000m
Fresh snow and fresh drifts prone to triggering in some places
Above 2200m avalanche danger is considerable, below that altitude danger is generally moderate. Danger zones occur behind protruberances in the terrain and on wind-loaded steep slopes. Avalanches can be triggered even by the weight of one sole skier. In zones where snowfall has been heavy on steep grassy slopes and hillsides, increasingly frequent small-to-medium glide-snow slides an avalanches are possible. Due to solar radiation loose-snow avalanches can be expected in rocky terrain.
Snowpack
The large amounts of fresh fallen snow and drifts from the most recent bout of precipitation have been able to settle slightly and consolidate. On the shady slopes the fresh snow is still loosely-packed, on the sunny slopes it is soft but bonded. At high altitudes in particular, snowdrift accumulations are often weakly bonded with the old snowpack, making them prone to triggering.
Tendency
Avalanche danger levels will slowly diminish. Glide-snow avalanches still possible.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Gliding snow
2400m
Snowpack
Tendency
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Persistent weak layer
2000m
Current avalanche situation demands high restraint in outlying terrain from winter sports enthusiasts
Snowdrift accumulations deposited atop a weak old snowpack surface
Avalanche danger levels are considerable, below that altitude danger is low. Avalanches of large size can be triggered even by minimum additional loading above the treeline, near gullies and bowls in all aspects. Above 2200m, avalanches can trigger in more deeply embedded weak layers inside the snowpack and in isolated cases grow to large size. Due to solar radiation, naturally triggered generally small-sized loose-snow avalanches can be expected to trigger on extremely steep sunny slope.
Snowpack
The fresh snow has been transported far-reachingly. Exposed ridges and crests are windblown, gullies and bowls are filled to the brim even at the forest rims. Inside the fresh and older drifts there are weak near-surface layers. Above 2000m the snowdrifts often lie atop faceted crystals near crusts. On wind-protected shady slopes above the treeline 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
The proneness to triggering of snowdrift accumulations will diminish only gradually. The persistent weak layer will remain.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Considerable avalanche danger! Driftsnow is prone to triggering even below the treeline line.
Considerable avalanche danger above 1.600m, below that moderate avalanche danger. Danger is caused by driftsnow accumulations adjacent as well as distant from ridgelines. Most danger spots are found in the sectors east and south behind ridgelines and in the beginning of gullies and bowls even below the tree line. Slab avalanches can be triggered by small additional loads. Avalanches can reach medium sizes.
Snowpack
In the past days cold new snow has landed on wet snow or - in higher altitudes - powder snow. Around 30 cm new snow in the westerly Northalps which will be drifted due to the stormy northwesterly 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
Decreasing windslab problems and avalanche danger.
Avalanche danger levels are moderate. Avalanches of large size can be triggered even by minimum additional loading above the treeline, near gullies and bowls on W/N/E facing slopes. Below the treeline the avalanches will mostly be small sized. Below 2200m, avalanches can trigger in more deeply embedded weak layers inside the snowpack and in isolated cases grow to large size. Circumvent zones below glide cracks. Due to solar radiation, naturally triggered generally small-sized loose-snow avalanches can be expected to trigger on extremely steep sunny slope.
Snowpack
The fresh snow has been transported far-reachingly. Exposed ridges and crests are windblown, gullies and bowls are filled to the brim even at the forest rims. Inside the fresh and older drifts there are weak near-surface layers. Above 2000m the snowdrifts often lie atop faceted crystals near crusts. On wind-protected shady slopes above the treeline 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
The proneness to triggering of snowdrift accumulations will diminish only gradually.
Danger level
1800m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
1800m
Evaluate snowdrift accumulations on shady slopes with great caution
Due to moderate to strong velocity winds, trigger-sensitive snowdrift accumulations have been generated over the last few days, particularly on shady slopes above 1800m: easily triggered by one single skier. Gullies and bowls are unfavorable, since weak layers are evident inside the old snow.
Avalanches are sometimes medium-sized. Frequency and magnitude tend to increase with ascending altitude. 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.
Snowpack
dp.1: deep persistent weak layer
Snowdrift accumulations cover a weak old snowpack surface on shady slopes above 1800m. The old snowpack is weak, with faceted crystals. It is highly irregular even over small areas.
At all altitudes, there is too little snow on the ground for this juncture of the season, regionally too little snow for winter sports.
Tendency
Avalanche danger levels are not expected to change significantly.
Danger level
1600m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
1600m
Moderate avalanche danger! Driftsnow is prone to triggering even below the treeline line.
Moderate avalanche danger above 1.600m, below that low avalanche danger. Danger is caused by driftsnow accumulations adjacent as well as distant from ridgelines. Most danger spots are found in the sectors east and south behind ridgelines and in the beginning of gullies and bowls even below the tree line. Slab avalanches can be triggered by small additional loads. Avalanches can reach medium size.
Snowpack
In the past days cold new snow has landed on a thin moist snow base. Summits have been blown off but in bowls in the sectors east and south driftsnow accumulations have been formed. Weak layers can be found on the transition to the old snow.
Tendency
Decreasing windslab problems and avalanche danger.
Danger level
2200m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2200m
Wind slab
2200m
Evaluate freshly generated snowdrift accumulations on shady slopes with great caution. Caution: persistent weak layer.
The snowdrift accumulations of recent days can easily be triggered in all aspects above 2200m by one single skier. Danger zones occur particularly in gullies, bowls and behind protruberances in the landscape.
Avalanches can fracture down to more deeply embedded layers inside the snowpack on shady slopes in particular, and then grow to larger size. Size and frequency of danger zones tend to increase with ascending altitude.
Whumpf noises and glide-cracks when the snowpack is tred upon are indicators of danger.
Small sized loose-snow avalanches are possible on steep slopes and at the foot of rock cliffs.
Snowpack
dp.1: deep persistent weak layer dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
As a result of low temperatures and strong-to-stormy winds, fresh snowdrifts have accumulated over the last few days. These now blanket a weak old snowpack surface above 2200m.
Inside the old snowpack there are expansively metamosphosed, faceted crystals, particularly on shady wind-protected slopes.
The snowpack is highly irregular, even over small areas. The various snowdrifts are often still poorly bonded with each other and with the old snowpack.
Inside the old snowpack, particularly on shady wind-protected slopes there are expansively metamorphosed, faceted layers evident.
The snowpack is highly irregular, even over small areas. At all altitudes there is too little snow on the ground for this juncture of the season.
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
Generally low avalanche danger, moderate danger at high altitudes
Avalanche danger above the treeline is moderate, below that altitude danger is low. Small-sized snowdrifts are the main problem. Danger zones (for potentially small-to-medium sized slab avalanches) occur above the treeline in steep ridgeline terrain in all aspects and in wind-loaded gullies and bowls. In addition, on steep grass-covered slopes where there is sufficient snow on the ground, small-sized glide-snow avalanches are possible.
Snowpack
The large amounts of fresh fallen snow and drifts from the most recent bout of precipitation have been able to settle slightly and consolidate. On the shady slopes the fresh snow is still loosely-packed, on the sunny slopes it is soft but bonded. At high altitudes in particular, snowdrift accumulations are often weakly bonded with the old snowpack, making them prone to triggering.
Tendency
Avalanche danger levels not expected to change significantly
Danger level
1600m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
1600m
Driftsnow is prone to triggering even below the treeline line. Moderate avalanche danger but caution when choosing a route within the avalanche zones!
Moderate avalanche danger above 1.600m, below that low avalanche danger. Danger is caused by driftsnow accumulations adjacent as well as distant from ridgelines. Most danger spots are found in the sectors east and south behind ridgelines and in the beginning of gullies and bowls. Slab avalanches can be triggered by small additional loads. Avalanches can reach medium size.
Snowpack
In the past days cold new snow has landed on wet snow or - in higher altitudes - powder snow. Around 30 cm new snow in the westerly Northalps which will be drifted due to the stormy northwesterly 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
Decreasing windslab problems and avalanche danger.
Danger level
1600m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
1600m
Danger of injuries through unwelcome contact with the ground
Avalanche danger above 1600m is moderate, below that altitude danger is low. Snowdrifts are the main problem. Slab avalanches can trigger even by the weight of one single person. Many danger zones occur in steep ridgeline terrain in all aspects and in wind-loaded gullies and bowls. Avalanches can reach medium size at high altitudes, otherwise they are small. In addition, the fresh snow of recent days can trigger naturally as loose-snow avalanches in sunny, rocky, steep terrain in isolated cases.
Snowpack
Fresh snowdrift accumulations are being generated in ridgeline terrain at high altitudes on west-facing slopes. Elsewhere in all aspects and in general at high altitudes, loose powder covers the snowpack consisting of older, often deep drifted layers. Inside the snow masses of recent days in the uppermost half-metre of the snowpack there is often a trigger-sensitive weak layer beneath a marked melt-freeze crust. During the course of the day the snowpack surface will become moist on sunny slopes, but gliding movements over smooth grassy slopes remain the exception. The snowpack at low altitudes is still shallow.
Tendency
Avalanche danger levels will diminish in the stable weather and mild temperatures towards the end of the week.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Gliding snow
Snowpack
Tendency
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Moderate Avalanche danger due to snowdrift in high altitudes!
Moderate avalanche danger above the tree line, below that: low avalanche danger. Driftsnow accumulations are located in gullies and bowls in the sectors east to south. Caution near Alpenhauptkamm because there it got significantly more new snow. Small to medium slab avalanches can be triggered with small additional loads.
Snowpack
South of the Alpenhauptkamm the snowcover is still thin. Only little new snow has fallen during Christmas. Due to wind transfer, there is a bit more snow in gullies and bowls. Driftsnow deposits are poorly bonded with the snow base. Blown-off areas are hard and icy.
Tendency
Decreasing windslab problems and avalanche danger.
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 in all aspects. Avalanches will mostly be small sized. 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 snowpack layering above the treeline is inadequiate, several weak layers are evident with faceted crystals.
Tendency
The proneness to triggering of snowdrift accumulations will gradually diminish.
Danger level
1600m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
1600m
Snowpack
Tendency
Danger level
1800m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
1800m
There is little snow on the ground. Danger zones occur in gullies and bowls on shady slopes.
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 mostly require large additional loading in order to trigger.
Avalanche releases will be small-sized. Apart from the risks of being buried in snow masses, the danger of being swept along and being forced to take a fall also require consideration.
Snowpack
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.
I At all altitudes there is too little snow on the ground for this juncture of the season. Regionally, there is too little snow for snow sports.
Tendency
Avalanche danger levels are not expected to change significantly.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Low avalanche danger, but some danger spots due to fresh snowdrift deposits.
Low Avalanche danger. A few danger spots due snow drift deposits, which are located in gullies and bowls in higher altitudes in the sectors east to south. Small slab avalanches can be triggered.
Snowpack
In the southern Styrian mountains and easternmost alps the snowcover is still thin. Exposed areas are mainly blown-off and bare or icy. In gullies and bowls the snow cover is a bit thicker. The snow base doesn’t have significant weak layers.
