Weak layers in the uppermost part of the snowpack can in isolated cases be triggered by one sole skier. Such danger zones occur esp. on steep N/W/E-facing slopes above 2100m. Avalanches can in isolated cases grow to medium size. Due to solar radiation and daytime warmth, increasingly frequent wet-snow avalanches can be expected, especially on extremely steep sunny slopes, releases mostly small-sized. Acute danger of falling on hardened snowpack surfaces in steep terrain.
Snowpack
dp.1: deep persistent weak layer dp.10: springtime scenario
Along the Salzburg border some snowfall is anticipated. Inside the old snowpack on N/W/E-facing slopes there are faceted, expansively metamorphosed weak layers, esp. abov 2400m. Clear skies over far-reaching areas: the surface freeze enough so that it can bear loads. Sunshine and warmth moisten the snowpack during the daytime, esp. on very steep E/S/W-facing slopes including at high altitudes, swiftly softening the snowpack which becomes thoroughly wet at low and intermediate altitudes. Below 1700m there is hardly any snow on the ground.
Tendency
Little change in avalanche danger levels anticipated
Danger level
2200m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2200m
At high altitudes, caution towards persistent weak layers. During the course of the day, naturally triggered wet-snow problem.
Avalanche danger above 2200m is moderate. Slab avalanches can be triggered by minimum additional loading in some places, caution urged in transitions from shallow to deeper snow. On very steep north-facing slopes above 2200m and on W/E-facing slopes above 2400m, avalanches can fracture down to more deeply embedded layers of the snowpack and in isolated cases grow to large size. On extremely steep sunny slopes, small moist loose-snow avalanches can trigger naturally during the course of the day. Due to strong-velocity northerly winds, small danger zones will be generated through fresh snowdrift patches which can be prone to triggering on very steep north-facing slopes (most are easy to recognize). From very steep grass-covered slopes below 2600m, isolated small-to-medium glide-snow avalanches can trigger naturally.
Snowpack
The snowpack has moistened over the last few days, sometimes only superficially, sometimes down to the ground. As temperatures drop, the moist surface will again become capable of bearing loads. Above 2200m on shady slopes there are several weak layers of faceted crystals inside the old snowpack. On the surface on shady slopes, hoar or faceted crystals are generated potentially weak layers beneath the fresh snowdrifts. On very steep sunny slopes the small amount of snow is rapidly losing its bonding, even the melt-freeze crust is softening. Despite lower temperatures, the entire snowpack can still glide away over very steep grass-covered slopes.
Tendency
Little change expected
Danger level
2400m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2400m
Wet snow
Caution on very steep shady slopes in high-alpine zones.
Winter sports enthusiasts can trigger small-to-medium-sized avalanches in the old snow. Danger zones occur on very steep NW/N/NE-facing slopes which are difficult to recognize, they increase with ascending altitude. Backcountry tours require an well-considered route selection. Avalanche danger increases during the course of the day. Particularly in intensively sun-bathed steep terrain, increasingly also on shady slopes, small-to-medium wet-snow avalanches are possible. The danger of small, in isolated cases medium-sized glide-snow avalances remains difficult to assess.
Snowpack
At high altitudes, unfavorable intermediate layers in the old snowpack are evident. Bonding deteriorates with increasing altitude, especially in the uppermost and between intermediate layers. On steep shady slopes the uppermost layers of the snowpack are often soft, on sunny slopes already bonded and in the early morning hours capable of bearing loads. The snowpack is throughly wet up to high altitudes but all-in-all well consolidated. Due to daytime rise in temperatures and solar radiation, the snowpack weakens as the day unfolds.
Tendency
Danger of dry-snow avalanches not expected to change in high alpine zones. Due to dropping temperatures on Monday, danger of wet-snow avalanches will diminish. Glide-snow avalanches are still possible.
Danger level
2100m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2100m
Beware persistent weak layers. Rising daytime danger of moist-snow avalanches.
Weak layers in the uppermost part of the snowpack can in isolated cases be triggered by one sole skier. Such danger zones occur esp. on steep N/W/E-facing slopes above 2100m. Avalanches can in isolated cases grow to medium size. Due to solar radiation and daytime warmth, increasingly frequent wet-snow avalanches can be expected, especially on extremely steep sunny slopes, releases mostly small-sized. Acute danger of falling on hardened snowpack surfaces in steep terrain.
Snowpack
dp.1: deep persistent weak layer dp.10: springtime scenario
Inside the old snowpack on N/W/E-facing slopes there are faceted, expansively metamorphosed weak layers, esp. abov 2100m. Clear skies over far-reaching areas: due to low temperatures and low air moisture, surface crusts will form. Sunshine and warmth will moisten the snowpack during the daytime. The snowpack at low and intermediate altitudes is moist. Below 1500m there is little snow on the ground.
Tendency
Little change in avalanche danger levels anticipated
Danger level
Snowpack
Tendency
Danger level
Increasing wet-snow problem during daytime hours
Avalanche danger is initially low, then rises during the daytime to moderate below 2600m. On extremely steep sunny slopes below 2600m, wet loose-snow avalanches of medium size are possible due to daytime warming and solar radiation, either triggered naturally or by persons. Also medium-sized glide-snow avalanches can trigger naturally in very steep grass-covered terrain. In isolated cases on steep shady slopes above 2200m, mostly small slab avalanches can be triggered.
Snowpack
The snowpack has moistened over the last few days, sometimes only superficially, sometimes down to the ground. As temperatures drop, the moist surface will again become capable of bearing loads. Above 2200m on shady slopes there are several weak layers of faceted crystals inside the old snowpack. On the surface on shady slopes, hoar or faceted crystals are generated potentially weak layers beneath the fresh snowdrifts. On very steep sunny slopes the small amount of snow is rapidly losing its bonding, even the melt-freeze crust is softening. Despite lower temperatures, the entire snowpack can still glide away over very steep grass-covered slopes.
Tendency
Little change expected
Danger level
Favorable avalanche situation
Quite favorable avalanche conditions prevail in general. Due to solar radiation, isolated moist avalanches can be expected during the course of the day, esp. on extremely steep sunny slopes. On hardened surfaces, acute danger of falls.
Snowpack
dp.10: springtime scenario
Snowpack will consolidate as temperatures drop, a surface crust will form. The old snowpack is moist, esp. on sunny slopes at all altitudes and on shady slopes below 2100m. Below 1600m there is hardly any snow on the ground.
Tendency
Little change in avalanche danger levels anticipated
Danger level
Increasing wet snow problem due the course of the day
Snowpack
Due to the mild temperatures and the strong radiation the snow cover could settle. During the night stable surface hoar is forming which will quickly soften during the day on sunny slopes. Partially the softening is limited due to strong winds. The snow cover is moist up to high altitudes and gets even more moist looses it’s strength and bonding. The whole snow cover could begin to glide especially on bare soils. Weak layers which are prone to triggering are only found in high altitudes on shady slopes within the old snow cover (Graupel, soft crystals).
Tendency
Saturday night the temperature will drop with 10-15 degrees but without precipitation. The wet snow problem is decreasing due to the cooling but there will be persistent weak layers in high altitudes.
Danger level
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
Danger of falls on encrusted snowpack surfaces
Avalanche danger is low. Wet snow can be problematic. Due to solar radiation, mostly small, wet loose snow slides trigger naturally on extremely steep rocky slopes. On very steep grass-covered slopes which have not yet discharged, isolated small glide-snow avalanches are possible.
Snowpack
At low temperatures the snowpack freezes and stabilizes increasingly. During nocturnal hours a melt-freeze crust forms which is capable of bearing loads, then turns to firn snow next morning in the sunshine, following that the snowpack moistens. Otherwise melt-freeze encrusted and compact snowpack surfaces dominate. Only on steep shady slopes at high altitudes is the snow still powdery. There, isolated weak layers in the uppermost part of the snowpack can be prone to triggering. At intermediate altitudes the snopwack has receded starkly, esp. on sunny slopes, and is wet over widespread areas. Sliding snow movements are possible.
Tendency
Avalanche danger remains low
Danger level
1600m
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
1600m
Favorable conditions in the morning. Beware slight daytime rise in danger.
Avalanche danger in the morning is low. Winter sports enthusiasts can trigger avalanches in extremely steep terrain, usually small releases. 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. Due to daytime warming and solar radiation esp. on sun-bathed and rocky steep terrain, but also on shady slopes to an increasing degree, slides and mostly small-sized wet-snow avalanches are possible. Small, in isolated cases medium-sized glide-snow avalanches continue to be possible.
Snowpack
The old snowpack is thoroughly wet up to high altitudes, but following a night of clear skies with good outgoing radiation, a generally well consolidated snowpack awaits in early morning. During the course of the day, the snowpack will soften from east to south to west and lose its firmness. At lower altitudes there is little snow on the ground.
Tendency
Dropping temperatures on Sunday will cause danger of wet-snow avalanches to diminish. Small glide-snow avalanches still possible.
