Snowdrift accumulations prone to triggering in places
Avalanche danger above 2200m 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 southwest to north to east-facing slopes. Size and frequency of danger zones tend to increase with ascending altitude If they fracture down to more deeply embedded layers in the snowpack the releases can grow to medium size. On extremely steep sunny slopes, small loose-snow avalanches are possible.
Snowpack
Fresh and older snowdrift masses lie atop a thin rain crust above 2200-2400m, on steep sunny slopes atop a melt-freeze crust which is only partially capably of bearing loads. Near the crusts are weak layers of faceted, expansively metamorphosed crystals. 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. Particularly in wind-protected zones there is snow which is rewarding to skiers, it is faceted, expansively metamorphosed powder which is settling increasingly with rising temperatures.
Tendency
Snowdrift problem is receding
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 was registered, the freshly generated snowdrift accumulations above 2400m were deposited atop an unfavorable old snowpack surface by easterly winds. The older snowdrifts blanket a weak layer particularly on shady slopes above 2400m. The snowpack is highly diverse even over small areas.
Tendency
Gradual decrease in avalanche danger
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 snowpack is expansively metamorphosed The older snowdrifts blanket a weak layer particularly on shady slopes above 1800m. 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
2200m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
2200m
Persistent weak layer
2200m
Evaluate snowdrifts and persistent weak layer problem with great caution
Avalanche danger above 2200m is MODERATE, below that altitude danger is low. In all aspects, small-to-medium slab avalanches can be triggerd by minimum additional loading in places. 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. On extremely steep sunny slopes, small loose-snow avalanches are possible.
Snowpack
Fresh and older snowdrift masses lie atop a thin rain crust above 2200-2400m, on steep sunny slopes atop a melt-freeze crust which is only partially capably of bearing loads. Near the crusts are weak layers of faceted, expansively metamorphosed crystals. 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. On extremely steep sunny slopes, s loose-snow avalanches are possible. Particularly in wind-protected zones there is snow which is rewarding to skiers, it is faceted, expansively metamorphosed powder which is settling increasingly with rising temperatures.
Tendency
Snowdrift problem is receding
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Persistent weak layer
1600m
Partially snowdrift prone to triggering in the extended expositions east!
The avalanche danger above the treeline is moderate. Due to new snow and brisk 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 high-altitude entries 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 that is a loose snow layer. This cold and loose snow was 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. Due to rising temperatures and radiation the snowdrift will settle on sunny slopes, on shady slopes the settling process is delayed.
Tendency
Decreasing wind slab problems
Danger level
2200m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
2200m
Generally favorable conditions, low-to-moderate avalanche danger
Snowpack
Tendency
At high altitudes, caution urged towards small snowdrift accumulations.
Danger level
1700m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
1700m
Snowpack
Tendency
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Snowpack
Tendency
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Only isolated danger spots due to snowdrift.
The avalanche danger is low. Danger spots are fresh snowdrift deposits in some places which are prone to triggering. These are located in high-altitude entries into 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 brisk 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 an area-wide cohesive snow base is missing.
Tendency
No significant changes of the avalanche danger.
Danger level
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
Snowpack
Tendency
Avalanche danger levels will remain low.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Snowpack
Tendency
Danger level
Little snow on the ground.
Avalanches are hardly possible in gullies and bowls. Only little snow is on the ground.
Snowpack
The old snowpack is expansively metamorphosed.
Tendency
No significant change expected in avalanche danger levels
Avalanche danger levels will continue to be favorable
Danger level
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Circumvent sm-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. On extremely steep sunny slopes, small loose-snow avalanches are possible.
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. Particularly in wind-protected zones there is snow which is rewarding to skiers, it is faceted, expansively metamorphosed powder which is settling increasingly with rising temperatures.
