Beware trigger-sensitive snowdrifts in high-alpine zones, wet-snow problem lower down
Avalanche danger above 2800m is CONSIDERABLE, below that altitude danger is moderate. In high-alpine zhones on wind-loaded shady slopes, in shady gullies and bowls, dry-snow slab avalanches can be triggered even by one sole skier. In isolated cases, avalanches in the old snow can fracture down to deeper layers and grow to medium size. On steep slopes below 2800m which have not yet discharged, naturally triggered avalanches can release due to solar radiation and grown to medium size, or else be trigger b persons. Also isolated small-to-medium glide-snow avalanches are possible.
Snowpack
The snowpack is compact, moist or wet up to high altitutudes, contains melt-freeze crusts, weak layers are isolated but occur above 2500m. In high-alpine zones, 20cm of fresh fallen snow (Venediger Massif) lie deposited atop the wind-impacted snowpack. Southerly winds have formed snowdrift accumulations there, often deposited atop faceted expansively metamorphosed crystals and prone to triggering in places. Higher daytime temperatures and solar raditaion moisten the snowpack and cause firmness to be forfeited.
Tendency
On Easter Monday, moderate snowdrift problem following a night of intermittently clear skies. Loss of firmness in the morning.
Danger level
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
Beware wet snow
Naturally triggered wet-snow avalanches will increase with the daytime danger cycle. Wet-snow avalanches can be triggered by winter sports enthusiasts and grow to medium size. These avalanche prone locations are located particularly on very steep high-altitude slopes.
Snowpack
dp.10: springtime scenario
Weather conditions are making the snowpack ever wetter, leading to a loss of firmness inside the snowpack, resulting to loss of snowpack firmness. Many starting zones have already completely dishcharged. Nocturnal outgoing longwave radiation hardly exists. The snowpack surface can barely freeze and softens rapidly. The snowpack is thoroughly wet. On steep sunny slopes below 1600m, hardly any snow on the ground.
Tendency
Little change in avalanche danger levels
Danger level
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
Wind slab
2600m
Hardly any cold reserves following a cloudy night
Avalanche danger is moderate. In a few places on steep slopes which have not yet discharged, small-to-medium moist/wet avalanches can trigger naturally, esp. when windows of sunshine are more extended, or be triggered by winter sports enthusiasts. In isolated cases, small-to-medium glide-snow avalanches are possible. Above 2600m in the Tauern regions on wind-loaded slopes, in shady terrain and in gullies and bowls, small dry-snow slab avalanches can be triggered by minimum additional loading.
Snowpack
The snowpack is compact, moist or wet up to high altitutudes, contains melt-freeze crusts, weak layers are isolated but occur above 2500m. In high-alpine zones, 20cm of fresh fallen snow (Venediger Massif) lie deposited atop the wind-impacted snowpack. Southerly winds have formed snowdrift accumulations there, often deposited atop faceted expansively metamorphosed crystals and prone to triggering in places. Higher daytime temperatures and solar raditaion moisten the snowpack and cause firmness to be forfeited.
Tendency
No significant change expected. Slopes are rapidly becoming bare of snow.
Danger level
2800m
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
2800m
Wind slab
2800m
Beware wet-snow and snowdrifts in high-alpine terrain
Naturally triggered wet-snow avalanches will increase with the daytime danger cycle. Wet-snow avalanches can be triggered by winter sports enthusiasts and grow to medium size. These avalanche prone locations are located particularly on very steep slopes below 2800m. Fresh snowdrift accumulations can be triggered by one sole skier on very steep shady slopes above 2800m. Such danger zones occur esp. in ridgeline terrain, in gullies and in bowls. In high-alpine zones, small-to-medium moist loose-snow avalanches can be expected, esp. on extremely steep sunny slopes.
Snowpack
dp.10: springtime scenario dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
Weather conditions below 2800m are leading to the snowpack becoming thoroughly wet. Many wet-snow avalanches have already released, many starting zones have completely discharged, the snowpack is thoroughly wet. Nocturnal outgoing longwave radiation hardly exists. The snowpack surface can barely freeze and softens rapidly. High-alpine zones: up to 20cm of fresh snowfall registered, locally more. Due to fresh fallen snow and often strong southerly winds, small new snowdrift accumulations will be generated. On steep sunny slopes below 1900m there is hardly any snow on the ground.
Tendency
No significant change expected
BEFORE NOON Danger level
2600m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
2600m
Wet snow
AFTERNOON Danger level
2600m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
2600m
Wet snow
Isolated medium-sized wet-snow and glide-snow avalanches
Avalanche danger is initially low, then rises to moderate. In a few places on steep slopes below 2800m, small-to-medium moist/wet avalanches can trigger naturally, or be triggered by winter sports enthusiasts. In isolated cases, small-to-medium glide-snow avalanches are possible. In the Hohe Tauern above 2800m in wind loaded shady terrain, in shady gullies and bowls, dry-snow slab avalanches can be triggered by minimum additional loading. In isolated cases avalanches can fracture down to deeper layers and then grow to medium size.
Snowpack
The still evident snowpack below 2000m has turned to summer-firn snow. Even above that altitude the snow is moist or wet, contains melt-freeze crusts, though the overall somepack is quite compact. In places, there are a few cm of fresh snow deposited atop this old snowpack surface. In high-alpine zones, storm-strength southerly foehn winds have transported the snow in places. In shady aspects above 2800m, faceted expansively metamorphosed old snow constitutes a potential weak layer. Higher daytime temperatures and solar radiation moisten the snowpack and cause it to lose its firmness.
Tendency
Springtime situation: slight daytime danger cycle due to wet-snow avalanche activity. Snowdrift problem receding.
Danger level
1800m
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
1800m
Snowpack
The snowcover is depending on height and exposition wet or moist. On southern exposed sloped the snow has almost fully retreated till high altitudes. During the night the firming and setteling of the snow cover is not possible due to the lack of radiation caused by clouds. the snow cover is moist, wet and soft from the morning on. The retreatment increases.
Tendency
BEFORE NOON Danger level
1600m
Avalanche Problem
Gliding snow
1600m
AFTERNOON Danger level
1600m
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
1600m
Gliding snow
1600m
Caution: increasing danger in daytime cycle of avalanche danger
Avalanche danger in the morning hours is low, rises during the afternoon hours to moderate above 1600m. On steep slopes in all aspects which have not yet discharged, wet-snow avalanches can release naturally or be triggered by winter sports enthusiasts and, in high altitude zones, grow to medium size. In isolated cases small-to-medium glide-snow avalanches are possible.
Snowpack
During the mild nighttime hours, reduced outgoing longwave radiation, the snowpack can freeze only superficially. With higher daytime temperatures and solar radiation the thin crust swiftly softens and the snowpack loses its firmness. Beneath the melt-freeze crust the snowpack is thoroughly wet. At high altitudes there is a small amount of fresh snow deposited atop a moist old snowpack surface.
Tendency
Avalanche danger will rapidly increase inside the daytime danger cycle.
BEFORE NOON Danger level
1600m
Avalanche Problem
Gliding snow
1600m
AFTERNOON Danger level
1600m
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
1600m
Gliding snow
1600m
Avalanche prone locations occur more frequently in the western regions
Avalanche danger is low in the morning hours, then rises to moderate in the afternoon above 1600m. Main problem: wet snow. On slopes with sufficient snow in extremely steep terrain, wet loose-snow avalanches can trigger naturally or be triggered by persons on extremely steep slopes. Danger zones will increase during the course of the day. Loose-snow avalanches are mostly small-sized. Wet glide-snow avalanches can trigger at any time of day or night over smooth slopes, grass-covered terain, in sparsely wooded zones and over smooth rock plates. Glide-snow avalanches can reach medium size in isolated cases.
Snowpack
A melt-freeze crust forms during the nighttime hours in many places, then softens up due to daytime warming. At high altitudes, a few cm of fresh snow lie deposited atop a moist old snowpack surface. All in all, the snowpack in all aspects is thoroughly wet up to high altitudes. At high altitudes the layers inside the snowpack are dissolving. On south-facing slopes up to high altitudes, hardly any snow on the ground. On shady slopes, there is snow on the ground above 1500m.
Tendency
Wet-snow avalanches can trigger even in the morning hours. Avalanche danger levels will remain unchanged.
BEFORE NOON Danger level
2600m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
2600m
AFTERNOON Danger level
2600m
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
2600m
Wind slab
2600m
Daytime increase of avalanche danger. Beware snowdrifts in high-alpine zones.
Avalanche danger is initially low, then rises during the afternoon above 1600m to moderate. On steep slopes below 2600m which have not yet discharged, medium-sized wet-snow avalanches can trigger naturally or be triggered by persons. Also isolated small-to-medium glide-snow avalanches are possible. In high-alpine zones, fresh snowdrift accumulations require attentiveness, most of them are small but often easily triggered. Danger zones occur in gullies, bowls, behind protruberances in the terrain and on steep shady slopes above 2600m. Isolated small-to-medium avalanches can be triggered by winter sports enthusiasts in the old snow. Avalanche prone locations lie in seldom-tracked shady terrain and are difficult to recognize.
Snowpack
During mild nights of clear skies, little wind and dry air, the snowpack has reduced nocturnal outgoing longwave radiation and only in some places can form a melt-freeze crust capable of bearing loads. Through higher daytime temperatures and solar radiation, the crust then softens rapidly and the snowpack loses its firmness. Beneath the melt-freeze crust the snowpack is thoroughly wet up to high altitudes. Especially in the Silvretta region on high-altitude very steep shady slopes there are still unfavorable intermediate layers evident inside the old snowpack.
Tendency
Avalanche danger will rapidly increase inside the daytime danger cycle.
BEFORE NOON Danger level
AFTERNOON Danger level
1800m
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
1800m
Avalanche danger differs during the course of the day. Increasing spontaneous wet-snow avalanches from steep terrain in high altitudes!
The avalanche danger changes from low to moderate during the course of the day above 1.800 m. Danger spots are located in steep shady slopes and gullies. There spontaneous loose-snow avalanches are possible any time. On smooth surfaces gliding-snow avalanches are possible. Avoid areas below glide cracks. Avalanches are small to medium sized.8
Snowpack
in high altitudes a thin surface hoar-crust could form during the night, which softens quickly during the day. the snow base is isothermal and wet or mois even in high altitudes. On southern exposed slopes the snow has almost fully retreated and the retreatment increases.
Tendency
Monday will be changeable with few showers in the afternoon. No significant changes of the avalanche danger.
Danger level
1800m
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
1800m
Only little amount of snow, but spontaneous loose-snow avalanches from steep shady slopes are possible.
The avalanche danger is low. Nevertheless danger spots are located ind very steep shady slopes. There small sized spontaneous loose-snow and wet-snow avalanches are possible.
Snowpack
The snowcover is isothermal and till high altitudes wet or moist. On southern exposed sloped the snow has almost fully retreated and the retreatment increases.
Tendency
Monday will be changeable with few showers in the afternoon. No significant changes of the avalanche danger.
Danger level
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
Isolated danger zones for wet-snow avalanches
Avalanche danger is low. In isolated cases, small glide-snow or wet-snow avalanches can release in steep terrain which has not yet discharged or it can be triggered by persons.
Snowpack
On sunny slopes, the ground is becoming bare. What little snow there is, is moist-to-wet (0-degree isotherm) and often forms a crust capable of bearing loads after a night of clear skies. Daytime warming and solar radiation soften the crust and make it forfeit its firmness.
Tendency
Slight daytime danger cycle (wet-snow activity) within the same Danger Level. Compared to recent days, loss of firmness will set in earlier in the day.
Danger level
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
Avalanches occur seldom
Avalanche danger is low. Wet snow can be problematic on slopes with sufficient snow. On smooth, very steep slopes which have not yet discharged, small wet loose-snow avalanches are possible in all aspects. On steep slopes with a smooth ground, wet glide-snow avalanches can trigger naturally. Frequency of danger zones can increase slightly during the course of the day.
Snowpack
At night in many places, a melt-freeze crust forms, then softens during the morning hours. The snowpack which remains is thoroughly wet. On south-facing slopes up to high altitudes, hardly any snow on the ground. On shady slopes, there is snow on the ground above 1400m.
Tendency
Avalanche danger levels will not change significantly
Danger level
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
Beware wet snow. Isolated danger zones.
Naturally triggered wet-snow avalanches will increase with the daytime danger cycle. Wet-snow avalanches can be triggered by winter sports enthusiasts, mostly small releases. Isolated avalanche prone locations lie on very steep high-altitude slopes.
Snowpack
dp.10: springtime scenario
Weather conditions are leading to the snowpack becoming thoroughly wet. Many wet-snow avalanches have already released, many starting zones have completely discharged, the snowpack is thoroughly wet, very little snow in some regions. Nocturnal outgoing longwave radiation hardly exists. The snowpack surface can barely freeze and softens rapidly. On steep sunny slopes and below 1800m there is hardly any snow on the ground.
