Weak old snowpack layering at high altitude: restraint in route selection required!
Avalanche danger above 2200m is considerable, below that altitude danger is moderate. Avalanches can be triggered down to deeper layers of the snowpack above 2200m and gorw to large size in some places. Caution in all aspects in transitions from shallow to deep snow. Particularly in exposed terrain at high altitudes, fresh snowdrift accumulations can be triggered as slab avalanches. Avalanches can fracture down to weak layers. Circumvent zones beneath glide cracks.
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. Recently generated snowdrift accumulations have generally settled well. 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.
Danger level
1800m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
1800m
Gliding snow
2500m
Favorable conditions. Moderate avalanche danger.
Avalanche danger is moderate. In some places there are weak layers inside the snowpack which can be triggered by large additional loading. Small-to-medium sized avalanches are thereby possible. On steep grassy slopes and hillsides, especially on sunny slopes but increasingly frequently on shady slopes, small-to-medium glide-snow avalanches are possible. Caution urged below glide cracks.
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 snowpack is still loosely-packed, on the sunny slopes there is usually a breakable crust up to intermediate altitudes. Weak layers inside the old snowpack are in places prone to triggering by large additional loading. At high altitudes, isolated older mostly compact snowdrift accumulations are evident.
Tendency
Avalanche danger levels will continue to decrease. Especially glide-snow avalanches still possible.
Danger level
2300m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2300m
Gliding snow
2500m
Often favorable conditions apart from weak layers in old snow
Danger zones occur particularly in shady steep terrain where the snow is shallow and in transitions from shallow to deep snow. Caution: these spots are not recognizable. Glide cracks and settling noises are signals of danger. If avalanches fracture down to deeper layers of the snowpack they can grow to large size. On steep grassy slopes, and on sunny slopes in general, but increasingly frequently also on shady slopes, small-to-medium glide-snow avalanches are possible.
Snowpack
The fresh fallen snow and fresh drifts from the most recent period of precipitation have settled further and consolidated increasingly. On shady slopes it is still mostly loose, on sunny slopes a crust has often formed. On high mostly shady slopes, weak layers are evident inside the old snowpack which avalanches can trigger down to. Snowpack analysis and observations of fractures and isolated artificial triggerings corroborate this.
Tendency
Sunny and mild in the mountains, avalanche danger levels not expected to change significantly
Danger level
2200m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2200m
Gliding snow
2400m
Main problem: weak layers in old snow
Avalanche danger levels are moderate. Avalanches can be triggered even by minimum additional loading in some places above 2200m. Danger zones occur particularly in transitions from shallow to deep snow in all aspects. Avalanches can be medium-sized. Glide-snow avalanches can trigger at any time of day or night. Circumvent zones below glide cracks.
Snowpack
At night on sunny slopes and at low altitudes, a melt-freeze crust can form which then softens during the course of the day. 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 most recent snowfall has settled well. Above 2200m the snowpack layering is generally unfavorable with several weak layers of faceted crystals. The entire snowpack can glide over steep rock plates or grassy slopes.
Tendency
Danger level
2000m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2000m
Avalanche danger limited to high altitudes
Avalanche danger above 2000m is moderate, below that altitude danger is low. Weak layers in the old snowpack are the main problem. Slab avalanches can trigger even by the weight of one single person. Danger zones occur in steep ridgeline terrain especially in shady aspects, near ridgelines, in steep high altitude terrain and in transitions from shallow to deep snow. Medium-sized avalanches cannot be ruled out. Isolated small glide-snow avalanches can trigger naturally at any time of day or night where there is sufficient snow on the ground.
Snowpack
Mild temperatures have helped the snowpack to settle and consolidate at intermediate altitudes. Settled powder snow is to be found on shady slopes. At high altitudes, there are intermediate layers of faceted crystals. On sunny slopes the snowpack moistens, then forms a breakable melt-freeze crust during the nocturnal hours. At low altitudes the snowpack is shallow and moist down to the ground. Gliding movements over smooth grass-covered slopes cannot be excluded.
Tendency
Avalanche danger levels will diminish further.
Danger level
2000m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2000m
Main problem: persistent weak layer
Avalanche danger levels above the treeline are moderate, below that altitude danger is low. Avalanches of medium size can be triggered even by minimum additional loading in some places above the treeline, in gullies and bowls in all aspects. Danger zones increase in frequency with ascending altitudes. Above 2000m, avalanches can also trigger in more deeply embedded layers of the snowpack and grow to medium size, particularly on W/N/SE facing slopes. Due to solar radiation, naturally triggered, usually small loose-snow avalanches can be expected on extremely steep sunny slopes.
Snowpack
The snow has been transported far-reachingly. Exposed ridges and crests are windblown, gullies, bowls and slopes near forest rims are filled with snow. Above 2000m the snowpack layering is generally unfavorable, several weak layers are evident with faceted crystals. Especially on north-facing slopes the covered surface hoar is prone to triggering.
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, even at forest riims. Frsh snowdrifts have been deposited atop loose layers at high altitudes on extended north-facing slopes, often atop a deep layer of graupel. Above 2200m the snowpack layering is unfavorable, with several weak layers of faceted crystals. In some places the surface hoar is still prone to triggering. The entire snowpack can glide over steep rock plates or grassy slopes.
Tendency
Danger level
1900m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
1900m
Gliding snow
Caution to old snowdrift in high altitudes! Moderate avalanche danger but caution when choosing a route within the avalanche zones!
Moderate avalanche danger above 1.900 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. Medium-sized slab avalanches can be triggered with small additional loads. On sunny slopes spontaneous small-sized gliding snow avalanches are possible.
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. In shady high slopes there are faceted snow layers in the old snow which can form weak layers. In the past clear nights surface hoar has formed which stays only in shady areas. In sunny sides the surface turns wet or firn-like. On smooth surfaces the snow cover starts gliding on sunny slopes.
Tendency
Decreasing avalanche danger in the next few days due to weather stability.
Danger level
1800m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
1800m
Gliding snow
2200m
Persistent weak layer at high altitudes
Avalanche danger above 1800m is moderate. Weak layers in the old snowpack are the main problem Slab avalanches can be triggered even by the weight of one sole person, particularly by large additional loading. Danger zones occur in steep ridgeline terrain especially in shady aspects, near ridgelines, in steep high altitude terrain and in shallow snow. Avalanches can grow to medium size. In addition, gliding snow requires high attentiveness. Glide-snow avalanches can trigger naturally at any time of day or night, particularly on sunny steep grass-covered slopes, in some places in shady terrain near the forest rims. and on rock plates. At high altitudes they can reach medium size.
Snowpack
Mild temperatures have helped the snowpack to settle and consolidate. Powder or wind-impacted snow has been generated in ridgeline terrain at high altitudes on north-facing slopes. The uppermost metre of the snowpack often has a weak layer beneath a melt-freeze crust, this has persisted. At high altitudes, there are intermediate layers of faceted crystals. At low altitudes the snowpack is moist down to the ground. Gliding movements over smooth grass-covered slopes are less frequent but still possible in the heights.
Tendency
Avalanche danger levels will diminish further.
Danger level
2400m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2400m
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
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: 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
1900m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
1900m
Moderate Avalanche danger in high altitudes!
Moderate avalanche danger above 1.900 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. In the past clear nights surface hoar has formed which stays only in shady areas. In sunny sides the surface turns wet or firn-like.
Tendency
Decreasing avalanche danger in the next few days due to weather stability.
Danger level
1800m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
1800m
Snowpack
Tendency
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
Treeline
Avalanche danger is low. Some danger zones occur on extremely steep shady slopes. Apart from the danger of being buried in snow masses, the risks of being forced to take a fall require consideration. On steep grassy slopes where there is sufficient snow on the ground, small 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 and consolidate. On shady slopes the snow is generally still loosely-packed, on sunny slopes a melt-freeze crust has formed. At high altitudes on shady slopes in particular, the uppermost layers of the snowpack are weak, making them often prone to triggering.
Tendency
Avalanche danger levels not expected to change significantly
Danger level
1900m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
1900m
Low avalanche danger, only little snow.
Low Avalanche danger. A few danger spots due snow drift deposits in gullies and bowls. There small slab avalanches can be triggered by small additional loads. Affected areas especially high shady slopes.
Snowpack
In the southern and eastern Styrian mountains 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. In the past clear nights surface hoar has formed which stays only in shady areas. In sunny sides the surface turns wet or firn-like.
Tendency
Avalanche danger stays low.
Danger level
1600m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
1600m
Beware injuries through unwelcome contact with the ground
Avalanche danger is low. Weak layers in the old snowpack can be a problem. Isolated small slab avalanches can trigger particularly by large additional loading. Danger zones occur especially in transitions from shallow to deep snow on shady ridgeline extremely steep slopes at high altitudes. Isolated glide-snow avalanches can trigger naturally on steep grassy slopes at any time of day or night where there is sufficient snow on the ground.
Snowpack
Mild temperatures have helped the snowpack to settle and consolidate far-reachingly. Settled powder snow is to be found on shady slopes. At intermediate altitudes in some places there is a trigger-sensitive weak layer below a melt-freeze crust in the uppermost part of the snowpack which has persisted. On sunny slopes the snowpack moistens, then forms a breakable melt-freeze crust during the nocturnal hours. At low altitudes the snowpack is shallow and moist down to the ground. Gliding movements over smooth grass-covered slopes cannot be excluded.
Tendency
Avalanche danger levels will remain low
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.
