Avalanche danger above 2000m is MODERATE, below that altitude danger is low. Slabs, mostly small-sized, can be triggered even by minimum additiional loading both near to and distant from ridgelines and behind protruberances in the landscape on north, northwest and south facing slopes. If they fracture down to more deeply embedded layers in the snowpack the releases can grow to medium size. Snowdrifts hard to recognize due to poor visibility.
Snowpack
On top of a shallow and relatively compact snow cover, snow and drifts lie deposited. Overnight, surface hoar can form. In wind-protected terrain the fresh snow is still very loosely-packed, winds have generated a bonded slab. The border to the old snowpack and loosely-packed snow inside the snowdrifts can serve as a weak layer, more deeply embedded weak layers are triggerable only in isolated cases.
Tendency
Snowdrift problem is receding
Danger level
2200m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
2200m
Generally favorable conditions, low-to-moderate avalanche danger
Small-area fresh and older trigger-sensitive snowdrift accumulations are the main danger. Danger zones occur in wind-loaded steep terrain, in gullies and bowls, and behind protruberances in the landscape. Size and frequency of danger zones tend to increase with ascending altitude. In addition, on steep shady slopes at high altitudes and in transitions from shallow to deep snow, isolated slab avalanches can be triggered by large additional loading. A cautious route selection is advised. Small-to-mediium glide-snow avalanches are possible only in isolated cases. Caution urged below glide cracks.
Snowpack
The uppermost snowpack layers are generally still loose (except in wind-impacted terrain). In high-altitude wind-impacted zones and ridgelines, small fresh snowdrift accumulations have been generated. Some older drifts are now blanketed and layers of graupel embedded. More deeply embedded layers inside the snowpack are unlikely to trigger, at most where the snow is shallow and on very steep shady slopes.
Tendency
Avalanche danger levels to recede further. At high altitudes, caution urged towards small snowdrift accumulations.
Danger level
1800m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
1800m
Weak layers in the old snow demand high caution
Weak layers in the old snow in all aspects can be triggered by one single skier and are expected to remain trigger-sensitive. Danger zones occur esp. in gullies and bowls and behind protruberances in the landscape above 1800m and at the foot of rocky cliffs. Whumpf noises and glide cracks when you step onto the snowpack are indicators of danger. Avalanches can grow to medium size. Magnitude and frequency of danger zones will tend to increase with ascending altitude. Risks of being forced to take a fall or being swept along require consideration.
Snowpack
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
The older snowdrifts blanket a weak layer particularly on shady slopes above 1800m. Over the last few days it has been very cold widespread. During the nighttime hours, skies were clear. These weather conditions hinder the consolidation of the weak layers, particularly on shady slopes. The snowpack is highly diverse even over small areas. Only little snow on the ground from region to region below 1600m.
Tendency
No significant change in avalanche danger levels is expected
Danger level
2400m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
2400m
Persistent weak layer
2400m
Be careful of fresh snowdrifts. Weak layers in old snow demand caution.
Fresh snow fall and strong-velocity northerly winds will generate trigger-sensitive snowdrift accumulations during the course of the day particularly on E/SE/S facing slopes above 2400m along the Salzburg border. Weak layers inside the old snow can be triggered by one sole skier in all aspects, particularly in gullies, bowls and behind protruberances in the landscape along the Salzburg border. On shady slopes and in high alpine zones the likelihood of triggering is higher. Caution urged especially in seldom-skied terrain. Whumpf noises and glide-cracks when you step onto the snowpack are indicators of danger. Avalanches can reach medium size. Magnitude 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
Up to 5-10 cm of fresh snow is anticipated, the freshly generated snowdrift accumulations above 2400m will be deposited atop an unfavorable old snowpack surface. The older snowdrifts blanket a weak layer particularly on shady slopes above 2400m. Over the last few days it has been very cold widespread. During the nighttime hours, skies were clear. These weather conditions hinder the consolidation of the weak layers, particularly on shady slopes. The snowpack is highly diverse even over small areas.
Tendency
No significant change in avalanche danger levels anticipated
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Persistent weak layer
1600m
Fresh snowdrift prone to triggering in the extended expositions east!
The avalanche danger above the treeline is moderate. Due to new snow and vivid northwesterly winds fresh driftsnow is formed in the extended eastern sectors eventually in forest areas. Danger spots especially behind ridgelines as well as in the beginning of gullies and bowls slab avalanches can be triggered by small additional loads. In some places avalanches can slab through low weak layers within the old snow and reach medium size
Snowpack
The snow base is in places unstable due to a succession of crusts and softer layers. On top of a loose snow layer with an amount of 10-25 cm additional 5-15 cm new snow landed on Wednesday. This cold and loose snow is possible for being drifted. Fresh snowdrift accumaltions have formed due to northwesterly partially stormy winds. Especially in the extended eastern sectors which will be poorly bonded with the existing layers.
Tendency
No significant changes yet. Fresh snowdrift stays prone to triggering.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Snowpack
Tendency
Danger level
1700m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
1700m
Snowpack
Tendency
Danger level
2000m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
2000m
Persistent weak layer
2300m
Evaluate snowdrifts and persistent weak layer problem with great caution
Avalanche danger above 2000m is MODERATE, below that altitude danger is low. On NW/N/S facing slope small-to-medium slab avalanches can be triggerd by minimum additional loading in places, higher up also on south-facing slopes. The snowdrift accumulations are generally easy to recognize, danger zones occur mostly near ridgelines and behind protruberances in the landscape. Size and frequency of danger zones tend to increase with ascending altitude. As of 2300m, releases can fracture down to more deeply embedded layers inside the snowpack and grow to larger size. Small glide-snow and loose-snow avalanches can trigger naturally. Avalanche danger above 2000m is MODERATE, below that altitude danger is low. Slabs, mostly small-sized, can be triggered even by minimum additiional loading both near to and distant from ridgelines and behind protruberances in the landscape on north, northwest and south facing slopes. If they fracture down to more deeply embedded layers in the snowpack the releases can grow to medium size. Snowdrifts hard to recognize due to poor visibility.
Snowpack
The snow cover has below average depths, is highly irregular and the layering is rather poor. In wind-protected zones, increasingly frequent crusts with immediately adjacent faceted crystals are evident, sometimes with blanketed surface hoar. With ascending altitude there are weak layers of faceted crystals evident between crusts.
Tendency
Snowdrift problem is receding
Danger level
2200m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2200m
Snowpack
Tendency
Danger level
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Circumvent small-area snowdrift accumulations
Avalanche danger is low. Slabs, mostly small-sized, can trigger particularly on very steep and extremely steep north, northwest and south-facing slopes by minimum additional loading. Isolated small glide-snow and loose-snow avalanches can trigger naturally. Danger zones occur on very steep and extremely steep slopes, in entries into gullies and bowls and behind protruberances in the landscape. Danger zones difficult to recognize due to poor visibility.
Snowpack
On top of a shallow and relatively compact snow cover, snow and drifts (with embedded graupel) lie deposited. During the night, surface hoar can form. In wind-protected terrain, loose fresh snowfall still lies on the surface. The border to the old snowpack can serve as a weak layer, m deeply embedded layers are unlikely to trigger.
Tendency
Snowdrift problem is receding
Danger level
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
Snowpack
Tendency
Danger level
Little snow on the ground.
Older snowdrift accumulations can in isolated cases be triggered by large additional loading on shady slopes. Isolated danger zones occur on shady slopes and in gullies and bowls above 1900m.
Snowpack
Over the last few days small snowdrift accumulations have been generated on wind-protected slopes. These drifts lie deposited on shady slopes above 1900m atop a shallow old snowpack surface. This surface is expansively metamorphosed. There is little snow on the ground.
Tendency
No significant change expected in avalanche danger levels
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Snowpack
Tendency
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Only isolated danger spots due to fresh snowdrift deposits.
The avalanche danger is low. Danger spots are fresh snowdrift deposits in some places. These are located in high entrances to gullies and bowls and behind terrain edges, especially in the extended eastern exposures. Small slab avalanches can be triggered here by even a low additional loads. In case of triggered avalanches risk of injuries is more likely than risk of being buried.
Snowpack
Loose snow which is able to being drifted on the surface accumulates due to vivid northwesterly winds as fresh snowdrift especially in the extended eastern sectors and is only poorly bonded with the hard old snow. In medium and low altitudes especially on sunny slopes a complete snow base is missing.
Tendency
Improving weather conditions. On Thursday afternoon it will be predominantly sunny in northern Styria, but in the area of Wechsel it will stay cloudy. Temperatures will be milder and the snow cover is settling. No significant changes of the avalanche danger.
Avalanche danger is low. In ridgeline terrain, in gullies and bowls, freshly generated snowdrift accumulations require caution. They are mostly small-sized, but poorly bonded with the old snowpack and thus, prone to triggering. In risky terrain for falls, evaluate the drifts with caution, small-sized - avalanches can be triggered by one sole skier. Glide-snow avalanches still possible.
Snowpack
The uppermost snowpack layers are generally still loose (except in wind-impacted terrain) and lie atop a well consolidated and often encrusted old snowpack . In high-altitude wind-impacted zones and ridgelines, small fresh snowdrift accumulations have been generated. Some older drifts are now blanketed and layers of graupel embedded. Not much snow on the ground at low altitudes.
Tendency
Avalanche danger levels will continue to be favorable
