Weak layers in the old snowpack persist at high altitude on the shady side. In addition, avoid zones below glide cracks.
Avalanche danger is moderate. Weak layers in the old snowpack are the main problem. Slab avalanches can trigger especially by large additional loading and in transition from shall to deep snow. Danger zones occur in particular in shady aspects, near ridgelines, in steep high altitude terrain. Avalanches can grow to medium size. In addition, glide-snow avalanches can release spontaneously at any time of day or night. This applies to steep grass-covered slopes, forest aisles, and rock slabs in all aspects. At high altitudes such avalanches can reach medium size.
Snowpack
Snow on the shady side is still dry; at higher altitudes expansively metamorphosed at the surface. In some places, weak layers persist underneath a melt-freeze crust or under older snowdrift accumulations; their proneness to triggering increases with ascending altitude. At low altitudes the snowpack is shallow, moist down to the ground. Gliding movements over smooth grass-covered slopes cannot be excluded, especially at high altitudes where there is more snow.
Tendency
On Thursday, avalanche danger will change little.
Danger level
1900m
Avalanche Problem
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
2200m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2200m
Wind slab
1900m
Freshly generated snowdrifts from southerly foehn winds plus weak layers in old snowpack
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
On Friday, fresh snowdrifts to increase the danger of slab avalanches
Danger level
2200m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2200m
Gliding snow
2400m
Weak layering of old snowpack at high altitude is main problem
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
On Friday, fresh snowfall to increase the number of avalanche prone locations
Danger level
2000m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2000m
Snowpack
Tendency
Danger level
2200m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2200m
Gliding snow
Avalanche prone locations in old snow on shady sides.
Avalanche danger above 2200m is moderate, below that altitude danger is low. Weak layers in the old snowpack are the main problem. Slab avalanches can trigger especially by large additional loading and in transition from shall to deep snow. Danger zones occur in steep ridgeline terrain above 2200m, in particular in shady aspects, near ridgelines, in very steep high terrain where medium-sized avalanches cannot be ruled out. Isolated smaller glide-snow avalanches can trigger naturally on steep grass-covered slopes and rock plates where there is sufficient snow on the ground.
Snowpack
Snow on the shady side is still dry and expansively metamorphosed at the surface. A layer consisting of faceted crystals formed in some places with wind crusts in high altitude terrain on the shady side. With ascending altitude an increasing number of layers consisting of faceted crystals persists also under older snowdrift accumulations at high altitude. At low altitudes the snowpack is shallow, moist down to the ground. Gliding movements over smooth grass-covered slopes are possible.
Avalanche danger is often low, moderate at high altitudes. In some places the snowpack evidences weak layers, particularly on very steep shady slopes. Most small (in isolated cases medium) avalanches are triggered by large additional loading. Freshly generated snowdrift accumulations can be triggered by one single skier. Most are small, easily recognized and should be circumvented in steep terrain. In steep grass-covered terrain, particularly on sunny slopes, generally small-sized glide-snow avalanches are possible. Caution urged below glide cracks.
Snowpack
The snowpack has settled well and consolidated increasingly. During nights with clear skies, the snowpack surface on steep shady slopes at high altitudes has expansively metamorphosed. At lower altitudes on shady slopes, surface hoar has formed. Steep sunny slopes have a melt-freeze crust up to high altitudes. Caution: in high-altitude, mostly shady terrain, there are freshly generated snowdrifts near ridgelines which are prone to triggering.
Tendency
Increasing danger levels due to fresh snow and wind
Danger level
2200m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2200m
Gliding snow
2400m
Weak layering of old snowpack is main problem
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
On Friday, fresh snowfall to increase the number of avalanche prone locations
Danger level
2600m
Avalanche Problem
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
Slightly increasing avalanche danger regionally
Danger level
2000m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
2000m
Persistent weak layer
2300m
Gliding snow
2500m
1000m
Often favorable conditions but caution urged on shady steep high altitude slopes
Snowpack
Tendency
Increasing danger levels due to fresh snow and wind
Danger level
Avalanche Problem
No distinct avalanche problem
Snowpack
Tendency
Danger level
1800m
Avalanche Problem
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
Slightly increasing avalanche danger regionally
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 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.
Danger level
Avalanche Problem
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 a 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
On Friday, fresh snowdrifts to increase the danger of slab avalanches
Danger level
Avalanche Problem
Gliding snow
Snowpack
Tendency
Danger level
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
Snowpack
Tendency
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Gliding snow
Predominantly stable conditions
Snowpack
Tendency
Until Thursday, no significant changes expected
Danger level
Avalanche Problem
Gliding snow
Predominantly stable conditions
Avalanche danger is low. Gliding snow is the main problem. Isolated small glide-snow avalanches can trigger naturally on steep grass-covered slopes with sufficient snow. Slab avalanches (mostly small) will only be triggered in very isolated cases in shady aspects at higher altitudes. In particular by large additional loading and at transitions from steep to shallow snow.
Snowpack
The snowpack is largely stable. At higher altitudes, snow on the shady side is still dry and from place to place expansively metamorphosed at the surface. Isolated weak layers persist underneath a melt-freeze crust; in the Ammergau Alps also embedded graupel. The snowpack is shallow. On the sunny side the ground is becoming increasingly bare. The snowpack base is wet. Gliding movements over smooth grass-covered slopes cannot be excluded.
