Danger level

2000m

Persistent weak layer		2000m
Wind slab		1800m
New snow

Danger is upperline-border of Danger Level 3 (“considerable”) above 1800m. Naturally triggered avalanches expected.

Naturally triggered avalanche acdtivity will increase as intensive snowfall sets in. Avalanches can be triggered in the old snow and on shady slopes, then grow to large size. In addition, avalanches can be triggered by one sole skier in the near-surface layers. I isolated cases, avalanches can also fracture the wet snowpack and sweep it along. Caution urged at the foot of rock walls and behind protruberances in the landscape, as well as in gullies and bowls. Activity of small-to-medium loose-snow avalanches will increase significantly during the course of the day. The runout zones should be circumvented. On extremely steep grass-covered slopes, isolated glide-snow avalanches are possible during the afternoon hours, also medium-sized releases. The current situation makes extreme caution imperative. Due to fresh snow, likelihood of slab avalanches above 1800m. Avalanches can trigger in gullies, bowls, behind protruberances in the terrain in the near-surface layers, even by one sole skier. Also isolated naturally triggered avalanches are possible, more so if the precipitation intensifies, esp. at the foot of rock walls. Avalanches can trigger in the old snowpack and grow to medium size. Whumpf noises and naturally triggered releases are alarm signals, indicators of imminent danger. Below 1800m: naturally triggered wet-snow avalanche activity will increase with the beginning of rainfall. In starting zones which have not yet discharged, small-to-medium wet loose-snow avalanches are possible. The runout zones should be circumvented, esp. on extremely steep slopes below 1800m in all aspects.

Snowpack

dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
dp.1: deep persistent weak layer

Since Wednesday above 1800m, about 30-40 cm of fresh snow has been registered, locally more. Above 1600m 30-50cm of fresh snow. Winds are transporting the fresh snow. Fresh snow and drifts are being deposited on shady slopes above 1800m atop an unfavorable old snowpack surface (soft layers). More deeply embedded inside the snowpack, esp. on shady slopes, there are expansively metamorphosed (faceted) weak layers, esp. above 2000m. Below 1800m: rainfall is leading to the snowpack becoming thoroughly wet over far-reaching areas. Nocturnal outgoing longwave radiation is much reduced.

Tendency

Increasing avalanche danger

Danger level

1900m

Wind slab		1900m
Persistent weak layer		2000m

Beware snowdrifts

Due to fresh snow and strong-to-storm velocity southerly winds, trigger-sensitive snowdrift accumulations have been generated esp. in ridgeline terrain, in gullies and bowls, esp. above 1900m. Avalanches can be triggered by persons or trigger naturally. In addition, isolated avalanches can fracture down to deeper layers of the snowpack and then grow to medium size. In starting zones which have not yet discharged, mostly small wet loose snow avalanches are possible, and can be triggered by winter sports enthusiasts. Isolated danger zones occur on wind-protected sunny slopes above 2500m, releases mosetly medium-sized. Fracture upon treading the snowpack are indicators of imminent danger, mostly small glide-snow avalanches are possible an extremely steep slopes.

Snowpack

dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
dp.1: deep persistent weak layer

Since Wednesday above 2000m, about 15-20 cm of fresh snow has been registered, locally more. Above 1600m 20-30cm of fresh snow. Winds are transporting the fresh snow. Fresh snow and drifts are being deposited on shady slopes above 1800m atop an unfavorable old snowpack surface (soft layers). More deeply embedded inside the snowpack, esp. on shady slopes, there are expansively metamorphosed (faceted) weak layers, esp. above 2000m. Below 1800m: rainfall is leading to the snowpack becoming thoroughly wet over far-reaching areas.

Tendency

Increasing avalanche danger

Danger level

1900m

Wind slab

1900m

Danger zones blanketed by fresh snow on north-facing slopes

Avalanche danger is moderate above 1900m, below that altitude danger is low. Small slab avalanches can be triggered by one sole skier in a few steep spots. The difficult-to-recognize (blanketed) danger zones lie on NW/N/E facing slopes, often distant from ridgelines. Caution urged esp. at entry points into very steep gullies and bowls. During the course of the day, naturally triggered loose-snow avalanches can be expected in extremely steep south-facing terrain. On steep grass-covered slopes, isolated small glide-snow avalanches are possible in isolated cases.

Snowpack

Up to 10cm of fresh, cold snow (locally up to 20cm) is expected without much wind influence. On Thursday, southerl foehn winds will generate small-area snowdrifts on north-facing slopes which will be deposited atop weak layers, esp. on shady slopes. The below-average old snowpack is expansively metamorphosed at high and high-alpine altitudes, but hardly tends towards fracture propagation. On sunny slopes, melting forms dominate in the old snowpack.

Tendency

Also over the weekend, snowfall anticipated. In places, moderate-velocity southerly winds can generate new snowdrifts.

Danger level

treeline

Wind slab

Treeline

Snowdrifts at high altitude prone to triggering.

Avalanche danger above the timberline is moderate, below that altitude danger is low. Snowdrifts are problematic. Small slab avalanches can be triggered by a single person engaged in winter sports in steep NW/N/E-facing terrain as well as in wind-loaded gullies and bowls. Number of avalanche prone locations increases with ascending altitude. In addition, new fallen snow can trigger naturally as small loose snow avalanches in extremely steep terrain. Smaller glide-snow avalanches can release on steep slopes over smooth ground with still plenty of snow.

Snowpack

Some 15cm to 25cm of new snow have fallen accompanied by a little wind. Another 10cm will fall. In wind-exposed areas at high altitudes the new snow will be transported. In some places fresh snowdrifts will be deposited atop soft layers. Layers that are embedded within the new snow or snowdrifts can also be prone to triggering. At intermediate altitudes new snow and old snowpack surface have bonded well widespread. The snowpack base is wet widespread. Possibility of gliding movements over smooth ground.

Tendency

Snowdrifts at high altitude remain prone to triggering. Avalanche danger will not change significantly.

Danger level

1800m

Wind slab

1800m

Avalanche danger above 1.800 m moderate and below 1.800 m low. The main problem is fresh snowdrift. Danger spots are located in the north sector above 1.800 m. Small slab avalanches can be triggered by an alpinist in extremly steep slopes. Caution behind ridgelines. Due to sun radiation in places wet loose-snow avalanches are possible.

Snowpack

In the last 24 hours it had 10 to 20 cm new snow. The southern winds drifted the new snow to the northern sector. The peak of precipitation was between Turrach heights and Niedere Tauern. In high altitudes the fresh snowdrift is placed on top of a hard old snow cover or on top of faceted snow. In medium altitudes the snow is on top of meadows.

Tendency

Forecast for Saturday: dense clouds and the summits will be foggy and snowy. The snowline is 900 m in the north and 1.300 m in the south. During the afternoon precipitation will be weakening and it can clear up a little bit in the area of the foothills. Slightly increasing avalanche danger is to expect.

Danger level

2000m

Wind slab

2000m

Caution: small-area snowdrift accumulations at high altitudes

Avalanche danger is moderate at high altitudes. Fresh snow and drifts are trigger-sensitive esp on shady steep slopes, small-to-medium avalanches can be triggered by winter sports enthusiasts in steep terrain. Apart from the danger of being buried in snow masses, the risks of being swept along and forced to take a fall require adequate caution. On steep grass-covered slopes with sufficient snow on the ground or atop smooth ground, increasingly frequent small-to-medium glide-snow avalanches are possible.

Snowpack

At high altitudes10-20 cm of fresh snow was registered on Thursday, on Friday another 5-15cm regionally, accompanied by moderate-velocity winds which will deposited fresh snowdrifts atop soft layers on shady slopes, often with blanketed graupel, bonding only moderately good. The highly diverse snowpack is well consolidated. Below 1500m there is little snow on the ground. On sunny slopes and at lower altitudes the fresh snow will fall on bare ground.

Tendency

On Saturday, only intermittent snow showers. Avalanche danger levels not expected to change significantly.

Danger level

1800m

Wind slab

1800m

Caution: freshly generated snowdrift accumulations

Due to fresh snow and strong-to-storm velocity southerly winds, trigger-sensitive snowdrift accumulations have been generated esp. above 1800m on NW/N/NE facing slopes, in gjullies and bowls, and behind protruberances in the terrain. Avalanches can be triggered by persons or trigger naturally. In addition, very isolated avalanches can fracture down to deeper layers of the snowpack and then grow to medium size, mostly small wet loose snow avalanches are possible, and can be triggered by winter sports enthusiasts. Isolated danger zones occur on wind-protected sunny slopes above 2500m, releases mostly medium-sized, on extremely steep slopes.

Snowpack

dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind

Since Wednesday above 1800m, about 10-15 cm of fresh snow has been registered, locally more. Another 15-20cm cm of fresh snow is still expected. Winds are transporting the fresh snow. Fresh snow and drifts are being deposited on shady slopes above 1800m atop an unfavorable old snowpack surface (soft layers).

Tendency

Increasing avalanche danger

Danger level

1900m

Wind slab

1900m

Wet loose-snow avalanches are hardly possible.

Due to fresh snow and strong-to-storm velocity southerly winds, trigger-sensitive snowdrift accumulations have been generated esp. above 1900m on NW/N/NE facing slopes, in gullies and bowls, and behind protruberances in the terrain. Avalanches can grow to medium size, and can be triggered by winter sports enthusiasts.

Snowpack

dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind

Since Wednesday above 1900m, about 10-15 cm of fresh snow has been registered, locally more. Another 15-20cm cm of fresh snow is still expected. Winds are transporting the fresh snow. Fresh snow and drifts are being deposited on shady slopes atop an unfavorable old snowpack surface (soft layers).

Tendency

Slight rise in avalanche danger

Danger level

1600m

New snow

1600m

New snow only little impacted by wind.

Avalanche danger is low. New fallen snow is problematic. Isolated small loose snow avalanches can trigger spontaneously in extremely steep terrain in all aspects. Number of avalanche prone locations increases with ascending altitude. At higher altitudes, isolated snowdrifts can be triggered as small slab avalanches by a single individual engaged in winter sports in steep N/E-facing terrain.

Snowpack

Some 5cm to 15cm of new snow have fallen accompanied by a little wind. A few more centimeters will fall. Bonding between new snow and old snowpack surface is favorable widespread. At intermediate altitudes, the snow at the surface is slightly moist. At high altitudes it is dry, in wind-impacted areas small snowdrift accumulations can be generated. The snowpack base is wet widespread.

Tendency

Depending on the wind impact snowdrifts can become a problem.

Danger level

treeline

New snow

Treeline

Danger of falling outweighs that of being buried in snow masses

Avalanche danger is low. Isolated small loose-snow naturally triggered avalanches are possible or can be triggered by one sole skier. Danger zones for small slab avalanches in the snowdrifts occur seldom on very steep N/E facing slopes at high altitudes. On steep grass-covered slopes, isolated small glide-snow avalanches are possible.

Snowpack

Atop a shallow, generally stable snowpack, which at intermediate altitudes is already 0 degrees isotherem and on sunny slopes at high altitudes has melt-freeze forms, about 5-15 cm of fresh snow will fall, without much wind impact.

Tendency

Repeated bouts of fresh snowfall, little wind influence.

Danger level

1600m

Wind slab

1600m

Snowpack

Tendency

Danger level

2000m

Wind slab

2000m

Snowpack

Tendency

Danger level

Wet snow
Wind slab		2200m

New snow. Caution in the northern sector!

Avalanche danger is in general low. In high altitudes fresh snowdrift deposits are formed in the northern expositionsThese can be triggered by an alpinist. Wet loose-snow avalanches can be triggered in the afternoon.

Snowpack

10 cm of new snow. Some new snow covers the stable snow base. The southern winds drifted the new snow to the northern sector. The fresh snowdrift is placed on top of a hard old snow cover or on top of faceted snow.

Tendency

Forecast for Saturday: dense clouds and the summits will be foggy and snowy. The snowline is 900 m in the north and 1.300 m in the south. During the afternoon precipitation will be weakening and it can clear up a little bit in the area of the foothills. Slightly increasing avalanche danger is to expect.

Danger level

treeline

Wind slab

Treeline

Caution: small-area drifts at high altitudes

Fresh snow and drifts are trigger-sensitive esp on shady steep slopes, small-to-medium avalanches can be triggered by winter sports enthusiasts in steep terrain. Danger zones occur esp. on ridgeline shady steep slopes and in extremely steep terrain. Apart from the danger of being buried in snow masses, the risks of being swept along and forced to take a fall require adequate caution. On steep grass-covered slopes with sufficient snow on the ground or atop smooth ground, increasingly frequent small-to-medium glide-snow avalanches are possible.

Snowpack

At high altitudes10-20 cm of fresh snow was registered on Thursday, on Friday another 5-15cm regionally, accompanied by moderate-velocity winds which will deposited fresh snowdrifts atop soft layers on shady slopes, often with blanketed graupel, bonding only moderately good. The highly diverse snowpack is well consolidated. Below 1500m there is little snow on the ground. On sunny slopes and at lower altitudes the fresh snow will fall on bare ground.

Tendency

On Saturday, only intermittent snow showers. Avalanche danger levels not expected to change significantly.