Further snowdrifts accmulating due to foehn impact
Fresh and older snowdrift accumulations are evident esp. in steep wind-loaded terrain, in gullies adn bowls and behind protruberances in the landscape, on shady slopes often triggerable above the treeline by one sole skier and then possibly growing to medium size. Danger zones often difficult to recognize when blanketed with fresh snow. In isolated cases, small slab avalanches can be triggered on high-altitude extremely steep shady slopes also in the old snow, usually by large additional loading and where the snow is shallow.
Snowpack
The minor amounts of fresh snow has been transported at high altitudes. Fresh and older snowdrift accumulations lie deposited atop soft layers esp. on steep shady slopes and are often prone to triggering. The most recent fresh snow often lies deposited on powdery (with the exception of wind-impacted zones) snowpack surfaces, on south-facing slopes frequently on encrusted surfaces. Also wind-crusts are evident. All in all, the snowpack is predominantly well consolidated.
Tendency
Ongoing caution urged: small snowdrifts
Danger level
2000m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
2000m
Snowdrift accumulations lie atop weak old layers esp. on steep shady slopes
Avalanche danger is low, the major danger stems from snowdrifts. Particularly on very steep shady slopes above the timberline, small slab avalanches can be triggered in isolated cases by minimum additional loading. Danger zones occur also distant from ridges, behind protruberances and in wind-loaded gullies and bowls, particularly on W/N/E facing slopes. On steep shady slopes, fractures down to more deeply embedded layers are possible, thus making avalanches grow larger. Caution urged in transitions from shallow to deeper snow. Isolated naturally triggered glide-snow and loose-snow avalanches are possible at any time of day or night.
Snowpack
Small snowdrift accumulations lie deposited atop a faceted, expansively metamorphosed snowpack surface on shady slopes. Away from these the snowpack in wind-protected zones is quite rewarding for skies, consisting of faceted expansively metamorphosed powder, with surface hoar evident in some places. In wind-exposed terrain the surface is highly varied, foehn conditions are slowly taking shape on steep sunny slopes. Due to mild temperatures the snowpack softens up during the daytime. Through warm up to high altitudes, the entire snowpack can start to glide over the ground.
Tendency
Fresh snowfall (up to 15 cm) will generate new snowdrift accumulations.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
Treeline
Snowpack
Tendency
Danger level
Little snow on the ground.
Avalanches are hardly possible in gullies and bowls.
Snowpack
The old snowpack is expansively metamorphosed, with a loosely-packed surface with surface hoar and faceted crystals. Very little snow on the ground. Hardly any snow on the ground below 1600m regionally.
Tendency
No significant change expected in avalanche danger levels
Danger level
Snowpack
Tendency
Danger level
2200m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
2200m
Snowpack stable far and wide. Risks of falling on a hard, icy snowpack should not be underestimated.
Avalanche danger is low. Snowdrifts can be problematic. In some places at high altitude, snowdrift accumulations can trigger small slab avalanches even by the weight of one single skier. Danger zones occur in very steep ridgeline terrain on NW/N/E facing slopes and in gullies and bowls. Dangers of being swept away and of taking a fall outweigh those of being buried in snow masses.
Snowpack
Wherever nocturnal skies clear up the snowpack surface tends to freeze. During the course of the day the snow becomes superficially moist, particularly on very steep sunny slopes, and thereby forfeits its firmness. In shady and wind-exposed terrain the snowpack surface can remain frozen all day long. On north-facing slopes at high altitudes there are few snowdrift accumulations lying deposited atop loosely-packed layers. The snowpack is stable and free of weak layers, by and large. On south-facing slopes the ground is bare widespread at intermediate altitudes. All in all, there is little snow on the ground.
Tendency
Avalanche danger levels to increase somewhat due to precipitation
Danger level
1800m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
1800m
Avalanche danger low, very little snow.
The avalanche danger is low. Only in some places in high altitudes an extremely steep and shady gullies and bowls small slab avalanches are possible. In case of triggered avalanches risk of injuries is more likely than risk of being buried.
Snowpack
The snow cover is unusual thin for this season and southern slopes as well as exposed areas are predominatly bare or icy. An area-wide, coesive snow base is only existing in blown-in gullies and bowls and shady high-altitude slopes. That snow cover is in shady areas charactized by equilibrium (isothermal) metamorphosis. It is succession of soft layers on the surfaces, partially powder snow, and faceted snow crystals with melt-freeze crusts.
Tendency
Depending on the amount of the precipitation th avalanche danger can increase slightly in the western mountain ranges of Styria.
Danger level
1800m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
1800m
Avalanche danger is in general low. Only a few, but hard to spot danger areas in high altitudes.
The avalanche danger is in general low. Persistent weak layers above 1.800 m. Danger spots are usually located in shady northwesterly to southeasterly expositions, especially in entries to extremely steep gullies and bowls. Here medium-sized slab avalanches can be triggered by high additional loads.
Snowpack
Due to mild sunny weather the snow cover got wet in sunny high-altitude slopes. During the night surface hoar is formed there and partially firn-like snow. On shady slopes the snow cover is built by faceted snow crystals and the layers are poorly bonded. On the surface a powdery snow layer can be found, underneath that weak layers are forming which are destabilizing the snow base. The snow cover is in general unusually thin, considering the season. Only in blown-in gullies and bowls compact snow packs with a higher amount of snow are found.
Tendency
Depending on the amount of the precipitation th avalanche danger can increase slightly in the western mountain ranges of Styria.
Danger level
2000m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
2000m
Favorable conditions. Caution urged towards small drifts.
Avalanche danger is low. Fresh drifts can trigger small slab avalanches even by minimum additional loading in some places. Danger zones occur in steep ridgeline terrain, mostly on NW/N/E facing slopes and behind protruberances in the landscape. Danger of being swept along and forced to take a fall outweigh that of being buried in snow masses. In very isolated cases, small slab avalanches can trigger in the old snow on steep shady high-altitude slopes, generally by large additional loading and where the snow is shallow.
Snowpack
The minor amount of fresh snow was transported. Small snowdrift accumulations lie deposited esp. on steep shady slopes atop soft layers and are often prone to triggering. The uppermost layers are often still powdery (with the exception of wind-impacted zones), frequently encrusted on south-facing slopes. Also wind-crusts are evident. All in all, the snowpack is predominantly well consolidated.
Tendency
No significant change anticipated in avalanche danger levels
Danger level
Be careful of snowdrifts.
Freshly generated snowdrift accumulations are small-sized yet still often prone to triggering, particularly in gullies and bowls above 2400m along the Salzburg border. Avalanches can in isolated cases fracture down to more deeply embedded layers in the old snowpack, releases are mostly small-sized. Apart from the risks of being buried in snow masses, the danger of taking a fall and being swept along also require consideration.
Snowpack
Freshly generated and older snowdrift accumulations lie deposited on weak layers particularly above 2400m on W/N/E facing slopes. More deeply embedded inside the old snowpack are faceted, expansively metamorphosed weak layers, esp. on shady wind-protected slopes. Sunshine and mild temperatures will moisten the snowpack slightly during the course of the day, esp. on very steep sunny slopes. The snowpack is highly diverse even over small areas. There is little snow on the ground.
Tendency
Increase in avalanche danger due to fresh snow and wind
Danger level
2200m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
2200m
Danger of taking a fall outweighs that of being buried in snow
Avalanche danger is low, the major danger stems from snowdrifts. Particularly on very steep shady slopes above 2200m, slab avalanches can be triggered in isolated cases by minimum additional loading. Releases are mostly small-sized. Apart from th 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
Older small snowdrift masses have been deposited on shady slopes atop an explansively metamorphosed surface. In wind-protected shady terrain, the surface is often rewarding for skiers, faceted, expansively metamorphosed powder, in places surface hoar is evident. In wind-exposed terrain the surface is highly varied, foehn conditions gradually being generated on steep sunny slopes. Due to mild temperatures the snowpack softens up during the daytime hours.
Tendency
A few centimetres of fresh snow will generate small snowdrift accumulations
Danger level
Isolated danger zones in gullies and bowls
Older and fresher snowdrift accumulations are generally small-sized, triggerable only in isolated cases, esp.on wind-protected shady slopes at high altitudes, esp. in transitions into gullies and bowls and at the foot of rocky cliffs and behind protruberances in the landscape. These danger zones occur seldom. Apart from the risks of being buried in snow masses, the danger of being swept along and forced to take a fall require consideration. On very steep sunny slopes, isolated small wet loose-snow avalanches are possible.
Snowpack
The snowdrifts blanket a weak old snowpack, esp. on wind-protected shady slopes. The snowpack is expansively metamorphosed. Sunshine and warmth are leading to a moistening of the snowpack during the course of the day, esp. on very steep sunny slopes. The snowpack is highly diverse even over small areas. Very little snow on the ground. Hardly any snow on the ground regionally below 1600m.
Tendency
Increase of avalanche danger levels due to fresh snow and wind
