Be careful of fresh snowdrifts. Weak layers in old snow demand caution.
Freshly generated snowdrift accumulations are small-sized yet still often prone to triggering, particularly 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 snowpack is expansively metamorphosed, 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
Persistent weak layer
1800m
Caution: weak layers in the old snowpack
Weak layers in the old snowpack can in isolated cases on shady slopes be triggered even by one sole skier. Caution urged esp. in transitions into gullies and bowls above 1800m and at the foot of rocky cliffs and behind protruberances in the landscape. Avalanches are mostly small-sized. Apart from the risks of being buried in snow masses, the dangers of being swept along and forced to take a fall need to be taken into condideration.
Snowpack
The snowpack is expansively metamorphosed, with a loosely-packed surface with surface hoar and faceted crystals. Old snowdrift accumulations now blanket a weak old snowpack on wind-protected shady slopes. The snowpack is highly diverse even over small areas. Below 1600m there is too little snow on the ground.
Tendency
Gradual decrease in avalanche danger
Danger level
1800m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
1800m
Isolated danger zones in gullies and bowls
Weak layers in the old snowpack can in isolated cases on shady slopes be triggered, esp. in gullies and bowls. Avalanche releases are mostly small-sized. Apart from the risks of being buried in snow masses, the danger of being swept along and forced to take a fall require consideration.
Snowpack
dp.1: deep persistent weak layer
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
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, with a loosely-packed surface with surface hoar and faceted crystals
Tendency
No significant change expected in avalanche danger levels
Danger level
2200m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2200m
Isolated danger zones in gullies and bowls
Weak layers in the old snowpack can in isolated cases on shady slopes be triggered, esp. in gullies and bowls. Avalanche releases are mostly small-sized. Apart from the risks of being buried in snow masses, the danger of being swept along and forced to take a fall require consideration.
Snowpack
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.
