Wet loose-snow avalanches and slab avalanche danger in high altitudes.
The avalanche danger is moderate above 1.600 m. Spontaneous loose-Snow avalanches coming from steep areas or triggered by individuals are possible due to rain and warmth. In very steep, shady and high slopes slab avalanches within the old snow can be triggered by small additional loads and slab through deeper layers within the old snow. They can reach medium sizes. Danger spots are increasin in higher altitudes. On steep slopes with smooth surface spontaneous gliding snow avalanches are possible.
Snowpack
The snow cover looses its strength on the surface due to precipitation. Only in altitudes above 2.000 m thin snowdrift deposits can form. They are prone to triggering in the first place but during the course of the day less. In shady high slopes the are some areas with weak layers built up by Graupel and faceted snow crystals within the old snow cover. These are eventually prone to triggering. The snow base is moist towards the soil which makes gliding activities potentially possible. In general the snow cover is inhomogeneous, from medium altitude s downwards only little snow.
Tendency
Monday will be mild and stormy. Consider wet snow layers in some spots.
Danger level
2000m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
2000m
Gliding snow
Snowpack
Tendency
Storm-strength southerly winds will transport the snow and generate new drifts, thus, avalanche danger can increase regionally.
Danger level
2200m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
2200m
Snowdrifts at high altitudes is main problem
Avalanche danger above 2200 m is moderate, below that altitude danger is low. Main problem: snowdrift accumulations. These can be triggered by one sole skier. Avalanche prone locations occur in steep ridgeline terrain on NW/N/NE facing slopes and in wind-loaded gulles and bowls. In isolated cases avalanches can fracture down to more deeply embedded layers of the old snowpack and grow to medium size. Wet loose-snow avalanches can be triggered in very steep terrain by one sole skier. Risks of being swept along outweigh those of being buried in snow masses.
Snowpack
Due to dry winds, thin melt-freeze crusts can form on the surface in exposed terrain. The uppermost 10-15 cm of the snowpack is slightly moist to moist up to high altitudes, often really wet. At high altitudes, large snowdrift accumulations have formed which are often prone to triggering. Weak layers inside the old snowpack have consolidated in the interim and are trigger-sensitive only in isolated cases. The snowpack base is moist-to-wet down to the ground. Gliding snow movements are possible.
Tendency
Weather remains variable. Not much precipitation anticipated, little change expected.
Danger level
2000m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2000m
Wind slab
2200m
Wet snow
The avalanche danger is moderate above 1.600 m. Spontaneous loose-Snow avalanches coming from steep areas or triggered by individuals are possible due to rain and warmth. In very steep, shady and high slopes slab avalanches within the old snow can be triggered by small additional loads and slab through deeper layers within the old snow. They can reach medium sizes. Danger spots are increasin in higher altitudes. On steep slopes with smooth surface spontaneous gliding snow avalanches are possible.
Snowpack
Tendency
Danger level
2200m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
2200m
Wet snow
Treeline
Beware snowdrifts at highest altitudes
Avalanche danger above 2200 m is moderate, below that altitude danger is low. Main problem: snowdrift accumulations. These can be triggered by one sole skier. Avalanche prone locations occur in steep ridgeline terrain on NW/N/NE facing slopes and in wind-loaded gulles and bowls. In isolated cases avalanches can fracture down to more deeply embedded layers of the old snowpack and grow to medium size. Wet loose-snow avalanches can be triggered in very steep terrain by one sole skier. Loose-snow avalanches tend to be small sized. Possibility of medium-sized glide-snow avalanches on steep smooth grass-covered slopes.
Snowpack
Due to dry winds, thin melt-freeze crusts can form on the surface in exposed terrain. The uppermost 10-15 cm of the snowpack is slightly moist to moist up to high altitudes, often really wet. At high altitudes, large snowdrift accumulations have formed which are often prone to triggering. Weak layers inside the old snowpack have consolidated in the interim and are trigger-sensitive only in isolated cases. The snowpack base is moist-to-wet down to the ground. Gliding snow movements are possible.
Tendency
Weather remains variable. Not much precipitation anticipated, little change expected.
Danger level
2200m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
2200m
Persistent weak layer
2200m
Circumvent snowdrifts in steep terrain. Caution: naturally triggered loose-snow avalanches due to rain impact!
Avalanche danger levels above the timberline are moderate. Snowdrifts can be triggered as a small-to-medium sized slab avalanche in some places even by one sole skier. Size and frequency of danger zones tend to increase rapidly with ascending altitude. Surface-near avalanches above 2200m can fracture down to more deeply embedded layers of the snowpack. Danger zones occur particularly on north and east-facing slopes, above 2400m also on south and west-facing slopes. Caution urged in transitions from shallow to deep snow. Naturally triggered small-to-medium sized glide-snow avalanches are possible. Circumvent zones below glide cracks.
Snowpack
Fresh and older snowdrift accumulations lie deposited atop a loosely-packed, expansively metamorphosed snow base which can serve as a fracture surface. On sunny slopes the bonding to the often encrusted old snowpack surface is somewhat more favorable. Intermittently strong W/NW winds have compacted and transported the snow in exposed terrain. Above about 2200m there are faceted crystals evident inside the old snowpack, often of surface hoar, which can frequently be prone to triggering. The entire snowpack can glide away over steep rocky places and grass-covered slopes.
Tendency
No significant change in avalanche danger levels anticipated
Danger level
2000m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
2000m
Persistent weak layer
2200m
Circumvent fresh snowdrifts in steep terrain
Avalanche danger levels above the timberline are moderate. Freshly generated snowdrifts can be triggered as a small-to-medium sized slab avalanche in some places. Size and frequency of danger zones tend to increase rapidly with ascending altitude. Surface-near avalanches above 2200m can fracture down to more deeply embedded layers of the snowpack. Danger zones occur particularly on north and east-facing slopes, above 2400m also on south and west-facing slopes. Caution urged in transitions from shallow to deep snow. Naturally triggered small-to-medium sized glide-snow avalanches are possible. Circumvent zones below glide cracks.
Snowpack
Fresh and older snowdrift accumulations lie deposited atop a loosely-packed, expansively metamorphosed snow base which can serve as a fracture surface or atop drifts which the southerly foehn wind deposited there on Thursday in gullies. On sunny slopes the bonding to the often encrusted old snowpack surface is somewhat more favorable. Above about 2200m there are faceted crystals evident inside the old snowpack, often of surface hoar, which can frequently be prone to triggering. The entire snowpack can glide away over steep rocky places and grass-covered slopes.
Tendency
No significant change in avalanche danger levels is anticipated.
Danger level
2400m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
2400m
Evaluate fresh snowdrifts and weak layers with caution
Ridgeline zones, gullies and bowls above 2400m: due to fresh snow and often strong winds from varying directions, snowdrifts accumulated on Friday. These can be triggered by one sole skier on NW/N/E facing slopes above 2400m. Avalanches can fracture down to more deeply embedded layers of the snowpack and, along the Salzburg border grow to medium size. Size and frequency of danger zones tend to increase with ascending altitude.
Snowpack
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind dp.1: deep persistent weak layer
Since Friday, 5-10 cm of fresh snow has been registered, particularly along the Salzburg border, locally more. The snowdrift accumulations, particularly on NW/N/E facing slopes above 2400m, lie deposited atop an unfavorable old snowpack surface. The old snowpack is expansively metamorphosed and faceted. The snowpack is highly diverse even over small areas. At high altitudes there is too little snow on the ground for this juncture of the season.
Tendency
No significant change in avalanche danger levels anticipated
Danger level
2200m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
2200m
Persistent weak layer
2200m
Wet snow
1400m
Snowpack
Tendency
Danger level
2200m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2200m
Wind slab
2000m
Shallow snowdrifts blanket persistent weak layer
Avalanche danger levels at high altitudes is moderate, below that altitude danger is low. The freshly generated, shallow snowdrift accumulations can be triggered as a small-sized slab avalanche even by minimum additional loading (one skier). Such releases can fracture down to more deeply embedded layers of the snowpack above 2200m and then grow to medium size, particularly on W/N/S facing slopes. The shallow-snow transitions in snow-filled gullies and bowls are especially treacherous. Danger zones tend to increase in frequency with ascending altitude.
Snowpack
The small amounts of fresh snow and freshly generated snowdrift accumulations are being deposited on shady slopes atop a loosely-packed, expansively metamorphosed snow base which can serve as a fracture surface. On sunny slopes the bonding to the often encrusted old snowpack surface is somewhat more favorable. Above about 2200m there are weak layers inside the old snowpack consisting of faceted crystals, frequently of surface hoar, which are often prone to triggering. The entire snowpack can glide away over steep rocky plates and grass-covered slopes. All in all, there is too little snow on the ground, exposed zones are windblown, gullies and bowls filled to the brim with snow.
Tendency
No significant change in avalanche danger levels is anticipated. Caution urged towards fresh snowdrifts.
Danger level
1900m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
1900m
Wet snow
Low avalanche danger, only little snow. Observe risk of falling.
Low Avalanche danger. A few danger spots due snow drift deposits in high altitude gullies and bowls and steep areas. Danger of being swept away and buried as well as risk of falling is to be considered. Small moist loose-snow avalanches coming from steep slopes are possible due to increasing warmth.
Snowpack
Only in shady high altitude slopes a snow cover is existing. Exposed areas are blown-off and bare or icy. In gullies and bowls the old snow cover ist weakened due to faceted snow crystals . Due to precipitation and warmth the snow surface gets moist and looses strength.
Tendency
It stays mild and foehn-like. No significant changes of the avalanche danger situation.
Danger level
1700m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
1700m
Snowpack
Tendency
Danger level
1900m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
1900m
Few avalanche prone locations
Avalanche danger is low. There are very few danger zones in shady, steep entries into gullies and bowls. Particularly by large additional loading, small slab avalanches can be triggered here in the old snowpack. As a result of only minor amounts of fresh snow and win, isolated shallow snowdrift patches can be generate. Apart from the danger of being buried in snow masses, the risks of being swept along and forced to take a fall need to be taken into consideration.
Snowpack
Overall, there is llittle snow on the ground, exposed terrain is windblown or iced over; gullies and bowls are filled to the brim with snow. The small amounts of fresh snow and drifts form only small-sized trigger-sensitive patches. The old snowpack is being weakened, particularly on shady slopes, by expansively metamorphosed snow crystals.
Tendency
No significant change in avalanche danger levels anticipated
Danger level
1400m
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
1400m
Persistent weak layer
1800m
Snowpack
Tendency
Danger level
Snowpack
Tendency
Danger level
Too little snow on the ground for winter sports widespread
Avalanches are hardly possible. Gullies and bowls are unfavorable, where hardened layers lie atop consolidated old snow. Such danger zones occur seldom.
Snowpack
The snowpack is expansively metamorphosed. At all altitudes there is too little snow on the ground for this juncture of the season.
Tendency
No significant change in avalanche danger levels anticipated
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
Treeline
Avalanche danger is low. Main problem: wet snow. Wet loose-snow avalanches can be triggered by one sole skier in steep terrain. On smooth steep grassy slopes, isolated glide-snow avalanches can trigger naturally. Avalanche releases are mostly small-sized.
Snowpack
Due to dry winds, thin melt-freeze crusts can form on the surface in exposed terrain. The uppermost 10-15 cm of the snowpack is slightly moist to moist up to high altitudes, often really wet. At high altitudes, large snowdrift accumulations have formed which are often prone to triggering. Weak layers inside the old snowpack have consolidated in the interim and are trigger-sensitive only in isolated cases. The snowpack base is moist-to-wet down to the ground. Gliding snow movements are possible.
Tendency
Weather remains variable. Not much precipitation anticipated, little change expected.
Danger level
1600m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
1600m
Evaluate snowdrift accumulations with caution
As a result of fresh snow and moderate-velocity winds from varying directions, mostly shallow snowdrift accumulations were generated in ridgeline zones on Friday which are prone to triggering. These drifts can be easily triggered especially on NW/N/NE facing slopes above 1600m, or else glide away naturally. Releases will generally be small-sized.
Snowpack
dp.1: deep persistent weak layer dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
Particularly along the Slovenian border, 5-10 cm of fresh snowfall was registered, locally more. The fresh snowdrift accumulations from Friday were deposited atop an unfavorable old snowpack surface above 1600m, particularly on NW/N/NE facing slopes. The old snowpack is expansively metamorphosed, full of faceted crystals. The snowpack is highly varied, even over small areas. There is too little snow on the ground at all altitudes for this juncture of the season.
Tendency
Avalanche danger levels will diminish
Danger level
2200m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
2200m
Circumvent fresh snowdrifts in steep terrain
Avalanche danger above the timberline is moderate. The fresh snowdrifts can trigger a small to medium-sized slab avalanche even by minimum additional loading in some places. Size and frequency of the avalanche prone locations tend to increase rapidly with ascending altitude above the treeline. Avalanches triggered near to the surface can fracture down to more deeply embedded layers inside the old snowpack above 2200m. Danger zones occur particularly on N/E facing slopes, above 2400m also on S/W facing slopes. Caution urged in transitions from shallow to deep snow. Especially below 2400m, naturally triggered small-to-medium glide-snow avalanches are possible. Circumvent zones below glide cracks.
Snowpack
Snowdrift accumulations lie deposited on shady slopes atop a loose, expansively metamorphosed snow base which can serve as a fracture surface. On sunny slopes, the bonding to the often encrusted old snowpack surface is somewhat more favorable. Intermittently strong-velocity W/NW winds have compacted and transported the snow in exposed terrain. Above about 2200m inside the old snowpack there are weak layer of faceted crystals, often consisting of surface hoar, which are frequently prone to triggering. The entire snowpack can glide away over steep rocky plates or grass-covered slopes.
Tendency
Little change anticipated
Danger level
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
Snowpack temporarily weakening due to rain impact
Snowpack
Tendency
Avalanche danger levels not expected to change significantly
