Caution: freshly generated snowdrift accumulations prone to triggering in places
Through fresh snow and wind, snowdrift accumulations have been generated which are prone to triggering. Danger zones tend to increase in frequency with ascending altitude and occur particularly in steep shady terrain, but also behind protruberances in the landscape, in wind-loaded gullies and bowls. Avalanches can in places be triggered by one sole skier and reach medium size. Activities in backcountry demand experience in assessing avalanche dangers and defensive conduct. In addition, weak layers in the old snow can be triggered, particularly on steep shady slopes above 2200m, in transitions from shallow to deep snow and in zones where the snow is shallow. The danger of small, in isolated cases medium-sized glide-snow avalanches is still difficult to assess. Caution urged below glide cracks.
Snowpack
Fresh snow registered (15-25cm, locally more), deposited on a largely well consolidated old snowpack, then transported by northerly winds. The snowdrift accumulations are often prone to triggering. Esp. on shady slopes and in wind-protected zones at high altitudes, snowdrift will be deposited atop a loose snowpack surface, often atop breakable crusts, sometimes on crusts which can carry loads and on steep sunny slopes atop a melt-freeze crust. Solar radiation and higher temperatures during the daytime hours will moisten the fresh snow on sunny slopes.
Tendency
Avalanche danger levels will slowly recede.
Danger level
1800m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
1800m
Persistent weak layer
2000m
Isolated danger zones occur on steep shady ridgeline slopes
Avalanche danger above 1800m is moderate, below that altitude danger is low. Freshly generated snowdrift accumulations can in some places be triggered by one sole skier as a slab avalanche. Releases tend to be small-sized. Danger zones occur esp. near ridgelines, behind protruberances in the landscape and in gullies and bowls, usually they are easy to recognize. On very steep shady slopes, weak layers can fracture and be swept along. Caution urged esp. at entry points into very steep gullies and little skied-on north-facing slopes. On extremely steep slopes, small loose-snow avalanches can be expected. Isolated small naturally triggered glide-snow avalanches are possible.
Snowpack
The fresh fallen snow (20-30cm) was deposited above 1800-2000m on an often loosely-packed surface. Moderate-velocity winds transported the fresh snow to ridgeline zones. In places the surface hoar was blanketed. The old snowpack fundament on steep shady slopes at high altitudes is expansively metamorphosed. On sunny slopes the layering of the below-average snowpack is stable, except for small superficial loose-snow avalanches. Gliding snow over smooth ground is observed only rarely.
Tendency
No significant change in danger levels anticipated
Danger level
1800m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
1800m
Persistent weak layer
2200m
Caution: freshly generated snowdrift accumulations. Avalanche danger at upper part of Level 2 (Moderate) in regions with lots of wind
Due to fresh snow and moderate northerly winds, often trigger-sensitive snowdrift accumulations have been generated in ridgeline terrain, gullies and bowls. These drifts can be triggered in many cases by one sole skier in all aspects above 1800m. Danger zones are easily recognized to the practiced eye. In morning, likelihood of triggering increases somewhat. Due to solar radiation, increasingly frequent small loose-snow avalanches can be expected, esp. on steep rocky slopes. The runout zones require adequate consideration. In addition, isolated avalanches can trigger in the weak old snow, esp. on W/N/E facing slopes above 2200m. Caution urged in transitions from shallow to deep snow, e.g. at entry points into gullies and bowls. Caution in transitions from shallow to deeper snow, e.g. at entry points into gullies and bowls. Avalanches can reach medium size.
Snowpack
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind dp.4: cold following warm / warm following cold
Fresh snow (10-20cm) was registered widespread. Strong velocity winds transported the fresh snow, fresh drifts accumulated at high and high-alpine altitudes and were deposited on top of an unfavorable old snowpack surface. In the lower part of the snow cover, particularly on W/N/E facing slopes, there are faceted, expansively metamorphosed weak layers evident. As of midday, solar radiation will lead to a moistening of the snowpack on very steep sunny slopes below 2800m.
Tendency
Fresh snowdrifts need to be cautiously assessed. Pay attention to weak layers in old snowpack.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Gliding snow
2000m
Assess fresh snowdrifts at high altitude with caution!
Avalanche danger above the timberline is moderate, below that altitude danger is low. Snowdrifts are the main problem. Isolated medium-sized slab avalanches can be triggered even by minor additional loading. Avalanche prone locations are found on steep northwest to north to southeast facing slopes adjacent to ridgelines as well as in wind-loaded gullies and bowls. Frequency and size increase with ascending altitude. Small glide-snow avalanches can also trigger naturally on very steep intermediate altitude slopes with smooth ground, in all places with sufficient snow.
Snowpack
Up to 25 centimeters of new fallen snow will be transported by westerly and northerly winds. Snowdrift accumulations can contain intermediate layers that are prone to triggering. At intermediate altitude the new snow has bonded well with the moist old snowpack surface. Up to approx. 2000m the snow base is thoroughly moist and often wet at the ground. At high altitude a layer consisting of faceted crystals persists at the old snowpack surface on the shady side which can constitute a weak layer for slab avalanches. Up to the timberline in south aspects the new fallen snow is mainly deposited on bare ground.
Tendency
Avalanche danger levels will recede slowly.
Danger level
1800m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
1800m
Main danger: freshly generated snowdrift accumulations
Due to fresh snow and northerly winds, often trigger-sensitive snowdrift accumulations have been generated in ridgeline terrain, gullies and bowls. These drifts can be triggered in many cases by one sole skier in all aspects above 1800m. Danger zones are easily recognized to the practiced eye. In morning, likelihood of triggering increases somewhat. Avalanches can reach medium size. Due to solar radiation, increasingly frequent small loose-snow avalanches can be expected, esp. on steep rocky slopes. The runout zones require adequate consideration.
Snowpack
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind dp.4: cold following warm / warm following cold
Esp. along the Italian and Slovenian borders, up to 30cm of fresh snow was registered. Fresh snowdrift accumulations were deposited atop unfavorable layers. Solar radiation will lead starting at midday to a moistening of the snowpack on very steep sunny slopes.
Through fresh snow and wind, snowdrift accumulations have been generated which are prone to triggering. Danger zones tend to increase in frequency with ascending altitude and occur particularly in steep shady terrain, but also behind protruberances in the landscape, in wind-loaded gullies and bowls. Avalanches can in places be triggered by one sole skier and reach medium size. Activities in backcountry demand experience in assessing avalanche dangers and defensive conduct. Snowdrift accumulations need to be cautiously assessed, esp. in steep terrain. Through higher temperatures and solar radiation, loosel-snow avalanches can be expected on extremely steep slopes. The danger of small, in isolated cases medium-sized glide-snow avalanches is still difficult to assess. Caution urged below glide cracks.
Snowpack
Fresh snow registered (15-25cm, locally more), deposited on a largely well consolidated old snowpack, then transported by northerly winds. The snowdrift accumulations are often prone to triggering. Esp. on shady slopes and in wind-protected zones at high altitudes, snowdrift will be deposited atop a loose snowpack surface, often atop breakable crusts, sometimes on crusts which can carry loads and on steep sunny slopes atop a melt-freeze crust. Solar radiation and higher temperatures during the daytime hours will moisten the fresh snow on sunny slopes.
Tendency
Avalanche danger levels will slowly recede.
Danger level
1800m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
1800m
Persistent weak layer
2000m
Assess with caution the fresh snowdrift accumulations
Avalanche danger above 1800m is moderate, below that altitude danger is low. Freshly generated snowdrift accumulations can in some places be triggered by one sole skier as a slab avalanche. Releases tend to be small-sized. Danger zones occur esp. near ridgelines, behind protruberances in the landscape and in gullies and bowls, usually they are easy to recognize. On very steep shady slopes, weak layers can fracture and be swept along. Caution urged esp. at entry points into very steep gullies and little skied-on north-facing slopes. On extremely steep slopes, small loose-snow avalanches can be expected. Isolated small naturally triggered glide-snow avalanches are possible.
Snowpack
The fresh fallen snow (10-20cm) was transported by northerly winds. On shady slopes above 1800-2000m snowdrifts accumulates atop an often loosely-packed surface. In places the surface hoar was blanketed. The old snowpack fundament on steep shady slopes at high altitudes is expansively metamorphosed. On shady wind-protected slopes there is still loose, dry snow to be found. Little snow on the ground on sunny slopes.
Tendency
No significant change in danger levels anticipated
Danger level
1800m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
1800m
Assess fresh snowdrifts at high altitude cautiously.
Avalanche danger is low. Snowdrifts can be problematic. In particular at high altitudes, isolated fresh snowdrift accumulations can be triggered as small slab avalanches by minimum additional loading. Danger zones are located in very steep north- and east-facing terrain. The risks of taking a fall outweigh those of being buried in snow masses. Small glide-snow avalanches can in addition trigger naturally on very steep slopes with smooth ground, in all places with sufficient snow.
Snowpack
Up to 15 centimeters of new fallen snow will be impacted by moderate westerly and northerly winds. The new snow has bonded well with the moist old snowpack surface. Most of the time the snow base is completely soaked and frequently wet at the ground. At intermediate altitudes small snowdrifts will accumulate. However, these are not likely to trigger. At high altitude a layer consisting of faceted crystals persists at the old snowpack surface on the shady side which can constitute a weak layer for small slab avalanches. Up to the timberline in south aspects the small quantities of new fallen snow are mainly deposited on bare ground.
Tendency
Avalanche danger levels will remain low.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Watch out for small snowdrift accumulations
Avalanche danger above the timberline is moderate, danger below that altitude is low. Freshly generated small snowdrift accumulations are increasingly prone to triggering with ascending altitude. Avalanches can in places be triggered by one sole skier. The risks of being swept along and forced to take a fall require adequate consideration. A cautious route is advised for backcountry tours. Through higher temperatures and solar radiation, loose-snow avalanches can be expected on extremely steep slopes. The danger of small, in isolated cases medium-sized glide-snow avalanches is still difficult to assess. Caution urged below glide cracks.
Snowpack
Fresh snow registered (15-25cm), deposited on a largely well consolidated old snowpack, then transported by northerly winds. The snowdrift accumulations are often prone to triggering. Esp. on shady slopes and in wind-protected zones at high altitudes, snowdrift will be deposited atop a loose snowpack surface, often atop breakable crusts, sometimes on crusts which can carry loads and on steep sunny slopes atop a melt-freeze crust. Solar radiation and higher temperatures during the daytime hours will moisten the fresh snow on sunny slopes.
Tendency
Avalanche danger levels will slowly recede.
Danger level
Only isolated, small-area danger zones on very steep ridgeline shady slopes
Avalanche danger is low. Triggering a small slab is possible in only few places, most endangered are shady slopes in very steep terrain above 2000m. In isolated cases a small glide-snow avalanche is possible.
Snowpack
The fresh fallen snow (20-30cm) was deposited above 1800-2000m on an often loosely-packed surface. Moderate-velocity winds transported the fresh snow to ridgeline zones. In places the surface hoar was blanketed. The old snowpack fundament on steep shady slopes at high altitudes is expansively metamorphosed. On sunny slopes the layering of the below-average snowpack is stable, except for small superficial loose-snow avalanches. Gliding snow over smooth ground is observed only rarely.
Tendency
Avalanche danger levels will recede as the precipitation tapers off
Danger level
Fresh snowdriftrs. Isolated danger zones in gullies and bowls.
Fresh snowdrift accumulations are mostly small, triggerable only in isolated cases, esp. on wind-protected shady slopes at high altitude. Caution urged in transitions into gullies and bowls. These danger zones occur seldom.
Snowpack
Fresh snow (10-15cm) was registered. Freshly generated snowdrift accumulations have been deposited on top of an unfavorable old snowpack surface. Solar radiation will lead starting at midday to a moistening of the snowpack on very steep sunny slopes.
Tendency
Pay attention to fresh snowdrifts
Danger level
1800m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
1800m
Persistent weak layer
2000m
Snowpack
Tendency
Danger level
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Up to 15cm fresh snow in total.
Avalanche danger is low. Snowdrifts can be problematic. In steep east-facing ridgeline terrain isolated small snowdrift accumulations can be triggered even by minimum additional loading. The risks of being swept along outweigh those of being buried in snow masses. Small glide snow avalanches can in addition trigger naturally on very steep slopes with smooth ground, in all places with sufficient snow.
Snowpack
Up to 15 centimeters of new fallen snow will be impacted by moderate westerly and northerly winds. The new snow has bonded well with the moist old snowpack surface. Most of the time the snow base is completely soaked and frequently wet at the ground. Small snowdrifts are accumulating at high altitude. Snowdrift accumulations can contain intermediate layers that are prone to triggering. Up to the timberline in south aspects the small quantities of new fallen snow are mainly deposited on bare ground.
Tendency
Avalanche danger levels will remain low.
Danger level
Snowpack
Tendency
Danger level
Little amount of snowdrift!
Still low avalanche danger. New danger spots have formed due to northwesterly winds. Danger spots are found in some places in high altitudes in the expositions north to east. There slab avalanches could be triggered in extremly steep slopes by high additional loads.
Snowpack
In the last 24 hours 10 to 30 cm new snow has landed. the focus of this precipitation was in the area of Koralpe. Little amounts of snowdrift acummulations have formed in high altitudes which are partially on top of faceted snow. The new snow is covering an old snow cover which weakened due to kinetic metamorphosis in high altitudes it is on top of a hard old snow cover.
Tendency
The avalanche danger is not significantly changing. Sunday noon light snowfall is possible in the northern Alps, elsewhere it will stay dry. Weak winds coming from variable directions, Temperatures un 2.000 m at noon are around -6 degrees.
