During the course of the day, small-to-medium sized wet-snow avalanches, as well as ongoing small glide-snow avalanches, continue to be possible in starting zones which have not yet discharged. Backcountry ski tours should be launched early and brought to an end early in the day. In high-altitude ridgeline terrain, small snowdrift accumulations can be prone to triggering from place to place. In high-alpine zones, in addition, seldom-tracked shady slopes in touring terrain require cautious route selection.
Snowpack
The old snowpack is thoroughly wet up to high altitudes. During nights of clear skies, a crust forms on the snowpack surface which is capable of bearing loads, but softens up during the morning. In high-alpine ridgeline terrain, local small-area snowdrift accumulations are evident. In seldom-tracked terrain on shady steep slopes in high-alpine zones, there are unfavorable intermediate layers inside the snowpack. However, there have been no avalanches reported over the last few days.
Tendency
The next few days will be sunny and very warm by and large. Avalanche danger levels will thus increase during the course of each day. Predominantly small-sized, but increasingly also medium-sized wet-snow avalanches will then be possible.
BEFORE NOON Danger level
AFTERNOON Danger level
3000m
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
3000m
Wet-snow activity will increase during the course of the day
Avalanche danger below 3000m will increase from low to moderate during the course of the day, esp. below 3000m small (in very isolated cases medium-sized) wet-snow avlanches can trigger naturally or be triggered by persons. Also isolated small-to-medium glide-snow avalnches are possible. Above 2800m, small dry-snow slab avalanches are possible in isolated cases, triggered by minimum additional loading, esp. on wind-loaded extremely steep shady slopes and in gullies.
Snowpack
The by and large compact but far below-average snowpack is moist/wet up to 2800-3200m, its melt-freeze crust in early morning is usually capable of bearing loads, but rapidly softens due to higher daytime temperatures and solar radiation. Above 2800m, near-surface layers of graupel and softer layers inside the shady-side snowdrift accumulations can serve as potential weak layers.
Tendency
Little change is anticipated. Also in the next few days, beware the daytime danger cycle.
Danger level
Spring situation!
The avalanche danger is assessed as low. There are only isolated danger spots at high altitudes. Spontaneous, small wet snow avalanches cannot be ruled out from extremely steep, shaded slopes and gullies that have not yet been unloaded.
Snowpack
On slopes on the sunny side at high altitudes the snow has fully retreated. Only on the shady side there is a closed snow cover, although even there it is already wet or moist. The snow depths quickly decrease.
Tendency
Continued weak high-pressure influence with sunshine and mild temperatures. The retreatment is progressing.
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 the thoroughly wet snowpack can be triggered by persons.
Snowpack
Slopes are becoming increasingly bare. What little snow there is on the ground, is wet. The melt-freeze crust which exists in early morning softens during the daytime and the snowpack forfeiets its firmness due to higher daytime temperatures and solar radiation.
Tendency
Little change expected
Danger level
2800m
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
2800m
Wet snow is the main danger
Due to daytime warming and solar radiation, likelihood of wet-snow avalanches triggering will increase. Below 2800m mostly small releases are possible, esp. along the Salzburg border. Caution urged esp. on very steep slopes and at the foot of rock walls. Snowdrift accumulations are no longer very trigger-sensitive. Isolated danger zones occur on shady slopes above 2800m.
Snowpack
dp.10: springtime scenario
Nocturnal outgoing longwave radiation is quite good, the snowpack surface freezes enough to be capable of bearing loads. The snowpack is thoroughly wet, esp. on sday slopes below 2800m and on sunny slopes below 3200m. In all regions there is too little snow on the ground. Below 2200m there is hardly any snow. Carnic Alps: below 1800m, hardly any snow on the ground.
Tendency
On 30 April 2025, the final Avalanche Bulletin of winter season 2024/25 will be published
