Current avalanche situation demands high restraint in outlying terrain from winter sports enthusiasts
Weak old snowpack layering + trigger-sensitive snowdrift accumulations at high altitude: restraint and cautious route selection required!
Avalanche danger above 2200m is considerable, below that altitude danger is moderate. Avalanches can be triggered even by minimum additional loading above 2200m, particularly near ridgelines, in gullies and bowls and behind protruberances in the landscape in W/N/E aspects. Danger zones tend to increase in frequency with ascending altitude. Above 2200m avalanches can be triggered from more deeply embedded layers inside the snowpack and often grow to large size. Circumvent zones below glide cracks. Due to solar radiation, mostly 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 even at forest rims are filled to the brim. Above 2000m the snowdrifts often lie atop loose snow on extended north-facing slopes. Above 2200m the snowpack layering is unfavorable, with several weak layers of faceted crystals. In some places the covered surface hoar is prone to triggering. 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.
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.
Avalanche danger levels are moderate. Avalanches can be triggered even by minimum additional loading in some places above 2000m, particularly near ridgelines, in gullies and bowls and behind protruberances in the terrain on W/N/E facing slopes. Avalanches will mostly be small sized, occasionally medium-sized. Circumvent zones below glide cracks. Due to solar radiation, mostly 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 even at the forest rims. The snowdrifts often lie atop loose snow on extended north-facing slopes. 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
2300m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2300m
Gliding snow
2500m
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
The fresh snow and drifts remain prone to triggering at high altitudes. Avalanche danger levels wil continue to decrease.
Danger level
1800m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
1800m
Gliding snow
2100m
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
1800m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
1800m
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
1800m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
1800m
Caution: persistent weak layer
The older snowdrifts from the last few days now blanket a weak old snowpack surface above 1800m on W/N/SE facing slopes: easily triggered by one single skier. Gullies and bowls are unfavorable, since hard layers lie deposited atop weakly consolidated old snow. These danger zones occur rather seldom, and are easily recognized by practiced backcountry winter sports enthusiasts. Avalanches are usually small-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.
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. Solar radiation and higher temperatures led to a gradual softening of the snowpack during the course of the day, particularly on sunny slopes below 2700m. These weather conditions reinforce a stabilizing of the snowdrift accumulations.
Tendency
Avalanche danger levels are not expected to change significantly.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
Treeline
Snowpack
Current avalanche situation demands high restraint in outlying terrain from winter sports enthusiasts
Tendency
Danger level
1800m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
1800m
Moderate Avalanche danger in high altitudes!
Moderate avalanche danger above 1.800 m, below that: low avalanche danger. Danger is caused by older driftsnow deposits which are located on a weak layers in the old snow in high altitudes and shady slopes. Especially the expositios northeast and east-occasionally south- close to the Alpenhauptkamm behind ridgelines and the beginnings of gullies and bowls are affected. Small to medium slab avalanches can be triggered with small additional loads.
Snowpack
South of the Alpenhauptkamm the snowcover is still thin. Exposed areas are blown-off and icy. Due to wind transfer, there is a bit more snow in gullies and bowls. The snow base doesn’t have significant weak layers. In shady high slopes there are faceted snow layers in the old snow which form weak layers. Despite the mild temperatures and sun radiation the snowcover stays dry in high altitudes due to low humidity which prevents melting.
Tendency
Decreasing avalanche danger in the next few days due to weather stability.
Danger level
1800m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
1800m
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. 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, 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. 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. 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
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
Treeline
Snowpack
Tendency
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.
Snowpack
dp.1: deep persistent weak layer dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
The older snowdrifts from the last few days now blanket a weak old snowpack surface above 2200m on W/N/SE facing slopes. The various snowdrifts are often still poorly bonded with each other and with the old snowpack.
Inside the old snowpack there are expansively metamosphosed, faceted crystals, particularly on shady wind-protected slopes.
Solar radiation and higher temperatures led to a gradual softening of the snowpack during the course of the day, particularly on sunny slopes below 2700m. These weather conditions reinforce a stabilizing of the snowdrift accumulations.
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
1800m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
1800m
Caution to old snowdrift in high altitudes! Moderate avalanche danger but caution when choosing a route within the avalanche zones!
Moderate avalanche danger above 1.800 m, below that: low avalanche danger. Danger is caused by older driftsnow deposits which are located on a weak layers in the old snow in high altitudes and shady slopes. Especially the expositios northeast and east-occasionally south- close to the Alpenhauptkamm behind ridgelines and the beginnings of gullies and bowls are affected. Small to medium slab avalanches can be triggered with small additional loads.
Snowpack
In the past few days the snow was transported firstly to the eastern sector then to the southern and western sectors. Exposed areas are blown-off and icy. Due to wind transfer, there is a bit more snow in gullies and bowls. The snow base doesn’t have significant weak layers. In shady high slopes there are faceted snow layers in the old snow which form weak layers. Despite the mild temperatures and sun radiation the snowcover stays dry in high altitudes due to low humidity which prevents melting.
Tendency
Decreasing avalanche danger in the next few days due to weather stability.
Danger level
1800m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
1800m
There is little snow on the ground. Danger zones occur in gullies and bowls on shady slopes.
The older snowdrifts which have accumulated on shady slopes above 1800m over the last few days can be triggered mostly by large additional loading.
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.
Tendency
Avalanche danger levels are not expected to change significantly.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
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
1900m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
1900m
Low avalanche danger, but some danger spots due to weak layers within the old snow below older snowdrift accumulations.
Low Avalanche danger. A few danger spots due snow drift deposits in gullies and bowls. There slab avalanches can be triggered by small additional loads. Affected areas especially high shady slopes.
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. In shady high slopes in places faceted snow forms weak layers within the old snow. Despite milde temperatures and sun radiation the snowcover in high altitudes stays dry due to low humidity which prevents melting.
Tendency
Avalanche danger stays low.
Danger level
Avalanche Problem
No distinct avalanche problem
Snowpack
Tendency
Danger level
1600m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
1600m
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. 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, 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. 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. 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.
