Avalanche.report

Monday 21 April 2025

Published 20 Apr 2025, 17:00:00


Danger level

2800m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
2800m
Wet snow
2800m


Beware trigger-sensitive snowdrifts in high-alpine zones, wet-snow problem lower down

Avalanche 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, fresh fallen snow lies 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 Tuesday following a frequently cloudy night, only few reserves of cold in the snowpack, which will rapidly soften. Proneness to high-alpine snowdrifts triggering will recede somewhat.

BEFORE NOON

Danger level


Avalanche Problem
Wet snow

AFTERNOON

Danger level

2800m
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
2800m

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

On Tuesday following a frequently cloudy night, only few reserves of cold in the snowpack, which will rapidly soften.


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

On Tuesday following a frequently cloudy night, only few reserves of cold in the snowpack, which will rapidly soften.