Danger level

2200m

Persistent weak layer		2200m
Gliding snow		2400m

Weak old snowpack layering at high altitude

Avalanche danger levels are moderate. Avalanches can be triggered even by minimum additional loading in some places above 2200m. Danger zones occur particularly on north and east facing slopes above 2200m, on south-facing slopes above 2400m. Danger zones increase in frequency with ascending altitude and can be medium-sized. Caution urged in transitions from shallow to deep snow. Glide-snow avalanches can trigger at any time of day or night where the snow depths are sufficient, particularly blow 2400m on E/S/W facing slopes. 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. On shady slope the snowpack is still loosely-packed, was frequently able to expansively metamorphose again. 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

2300m

Persistent weak layer		2300m
Gliding snow		2500m 1000m

Often favorable conditions but caution urged on shady steep high altitude slopes

Danger zones occur particularly in shady steep terrain where the snow is shallow and in transitions from shallow to deep snow. Small to medium-sized avalanches are easily possible by large additional loading. 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. Caution urged below glide cracks

Snowpack

The snowpack has settled well and consolidated increasingly. On shady slopes the uppermost layers are still loose or soft, on sunny slopes a crust has often formed which softens during the daytime. On high mostly shady slopes near ridgelines, older snowpack accumulations require attentiveness. In addition, weak layers are evident inside the old snowpack at high altitudes, also at ground level, which avalanches can trigger down to.

Tendency

Avalanche danger levels will continue to decrease. Glide-snow avalanches continue to be possible.

Danger level

1800m

Persistent weak layer		1800m
Gliding snow		2500m 1200m

Favorable conditions predominate

Avalanche danger is often low, moderate at high altitudes. In some places more deeply embedded layers inside the snowpack are weak. Small-to-medium sized avalanches are thereby possible, especially by large additional loading. On steep grassy slopes, especially on sunny slopes but increasingly frequently on shady slopes, small glide-snow avalanches are possible. Caution urged below glide cracks.

Snowpack

The snowpack has settled well and consolidated increasingly. On shady slopes the uppermost layers are still loose or soft, on sunny slopes a crust has often formed. In isolated cases, more deeply embedded layers inside the old snowpack can be triggered by large additional loading. The older drifts at high altitudes are generally compact. Mild temperatures reinforce gliding movements of the snowpack.

Tendency

Avalanche danger levels will continue to decrease. Glide-snow avalanches continue to be possible.

Danger level

1800m

Persistent weak layer		1800m
Gliding snow

Snowpack

Tendency

Danger level

2200m

Persistent weak layer

2200m

Main problem: persistent weak layer

Avalanche danger levels above 2200m are moderate, below that altitude danger is low. Avalanches of medium size can be triggered even by minimum additional loading in some places above 2200m, particularly on W/N/SE facing slopes and in transitions from shallow to deep snow. Danger zones increase with ascending altitude. Avalanches can reach medium size.

Snowpack

The snow on sunny slopes and at low altitudes can form a melt-freeze crust at night which then softens during the daytime. Exposed ridges and crests are windblown, gullies, bowls and slopes near forest rims are filled with snow. The transported snow has settled in the interim. On shady slopes the fresh snow is still loose, the snowpack was able to repeatedly metamorphose expansively. Above 2200m the snowpack layering is generally unfavorable, several weak layers of faceted crystals are evident. Especially on north-facing slopes the covered surface hoar is prone to triggering.

Tendency

Danger level

1900m

Persistent weak layer		1900m
Gliding snow

Persistent weak layers in high altitudes! Wet- and gliding snow avalanches on sunny slopes are possible.

Moderate avalanche danger above 1.900 m, below that: low avalanche danger. Danger spots are located in high shady slopes behind ridgelines and in the beginnig of gullies and bowls as well as steep slopes. Slab avalanches within the old snow can be triggered by small additional load and can reach medium sizes especially in transition areas from thin to thicker snow covers. on sunny slopes increasing danger of small spontaneous wet- or gliding snow avalanches. Avoid areas below glide cracks.

Snowpack

During the night surface hoar will form on sunny slopes with different amounts. It will soften during the course of the day. Summits are blown-off and icy or bare, gullies and bowls are filled with old snowdrift. In shady high altitudes faceted snow within the old snow form weak layers. In Basinds surface hoar has formed which lasts only in shady areas. the snow cover is getting moist and firn-like in sunny areas. The snow cover begins gliding on smooth surfaces in sunny areas.

Tendency

The high pressure system persits, no significant change of the avalanche danger.

Danger level

2000m

Persistent weak layer

2000m

Snowpack

Tendency

Danger level

2600m

Persistent weak layer

2600m

Evaluate persistent weak layers with caution

The hardened snowdrift accumulations of recent days can be triggered generally by large additional loading on steep W/N/SE facing slopes above 2600m. One single skier can trigger them only in isolated cases. Isolated 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 medium size. Size and frequency of danger zones tend to increase with ascending altitude.
Apart from the danger of being buried in snow masses, the risks of being swept along and forced to take a fall require consideration.

Snowpack

dp.1: deep persistent weak layer

The hardened snowdrifts from the last few days now blanket a weak old snowpack surface above 2600m on W/N/SE facing slopes. 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. 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

2200m

Persistent weak layer

2200m

Snowpack

Tendency

Danger level

No distinct avalanche problem

Snowpack

Tendency

Danger level

1800m

Persistent weak layer

1800m

Too little snow on the ground for winter sports widespread. Danger zones in gullies and bowls.

The snowdrift accumulations on steep shady slopes above 1800m can in isolated cases trigger an avalanche even by minimum additional loading. Particularly unfavorable are gullies and bowls where hardened layers blanket weakly consolidated old snow. These danger zones occur rather seldom, and are generally 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.

Tendency

Avalanche danger levels are not expected to change significantly.

Danger level

treeline

Persistent weak layer		Treeline
Gliding snow

Avalanche danger is low. Isolated 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 snowpack has settled well and has consolidated increasingly. On shady slopes the uppermost layers are still loose or soft, on sunny slopes a crust has often formed. On high, mostly shady slopes, weak layers are evident inside the old snowpack, also at ground level, which avalanches can trigger down to lower layers. The older drifts at high altitudes are triggerable in isolated cases.

Tendency

Avalanche danger levels not expected to change significantly

Danger level

Persistent weak layer

Snowpack

Tendency

Danger level

Gliding snow

Predominantly stable conditions.

Snowpack

Tendency

Danger level

Gliding snow

Circumvent zones below glide cracks

Avlanche danger is low, gliding snow is the main problem. On steep grass-covered slopes and over rock plates where the snow depths are sufficient, small glide-snow avalanches can trigger naturally at any time of day or night.

Snowpack

The snow on sunny slopes and at low altitudes can form a melt-freeze crust at night which then softens during the daytime. Exposed ridges and crests are windblown, gullies, bowls and slopes near forest rims are filled with snow. The fresh fallen snow has settled in the interim. On shady slopes the fresh fallen snow is still loose, the snowpack was able to metamorphose repeatedly, forming faceted crystals. The entire snowpack can start to glide over steep rock plates or grassy slopes.

Tendency

Danger level

1900m

Persistent weak layer

1900m

Low avalanche danger, only little snow.

Low Avalanche danger. A few danger spots due snow drift deposits in high altitude gullies and bowls and steep areas. There small slab avalanches within the old snow can be triggered by high additional loads. On sunny slopes small wet snow avalanches are possible.

Snowpack

In the southern and eastern Styrian mountains only in shady high altitude slopes a snow cover is existing. Exposed areas are blown-off and bare or icy. In gullies and bowls snowdrift has accumulated. In shady high altitude slopes faceted snow crystal underneath old snowdrift accumulations can weaken the snow cover. Surface hoar has formed during the clear nights which lasts only in shady areas. In sunny areas the snow cover gets moist and firm-like during the course of the day and gets bare quickly.

Tendency

The high pressure system persits, the avalanche danger stays low.