Weak layers in old snow and small-scale drift snow
The avalanche danger is moderate above 2400 metres and low below.
The main problem is old snow. In the sectors from west to north to east, slab avalanches can be triggered in some places by even a small additional load. Avalanches can break through to deeper weak layers and become medium sized if the snow is thick enough.
In west to north to east exposures above around 2200 m, small slab avalanches can also be triggered in fresh drift snow. The few danger spots are mainly close to the crest. Below 2800 m, mostly small sliding snow avalanches can occur spontaneously.
Snowpack
The snow surface is often loose on the shaded side. In the upper part of the snowpack, fresh snow that has blown over close to the ridge can form a weak layer. In the middle part of the snowpack, weak layers of angular crystals have formed between the fresh snow packs of the past week. At high altitudes, angular crystals can also be found at the transition to the compact old snow foundation and occasionally near the ground.
On the sunny side, the snow cover has settled far up and may have hardened in the morning.
Tendency
No significant change.
Danger level
1800m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
1800m
Persistent weak layer
Treeline
Above the tree line, weak layers may be present in the snow cover.
A small additional load can trigger a small to medium-sized avalanche above the tree line, especially where there are transitions between thin and thicker snow cover. Caution should also be exercised in areas of blowing snow.
Snowpack
dp.1: deep persistent weak layer
In recent days, clear weather has led to a coalescence in the snow cover, which could weaken the coherence of the snow cover in some areas, particularly on arid slopes. In sloping areas, the snow cover has started to transform more rapidly as the weather has warmed up, forming a crust. Snow is relatively scarce in the mountains. Due to the past influence of wind, the height of the snow cover is uneven and the surface of the snow cover has been reshaped.
Tendency
Tuesday will see slightly less wind, but the weather and snow cover stability will remain the same as on Monday.
Danger level
2200m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2200m
Wind slab
2200m
Gliding snow
Caution urged on steep, shady high-altitude slopes. Beware small fresh snowdrifts.
Slab avalanches can be triggered in the old snow in some places by large additional loading. Caution is urged on very steep, shady high altitude slopes. In addition, small-sized snowdrift accumulations occur in ridgeline terrain and behind protruberances in the landscape at increasing frequency with ascending altitude, these drifts are prone to triggering. Small-to-medium sized slab avalanches can be triggered by winter sports enthusiasts. Especially on steep grass-covered slopes, small-sized glide-snow avalanches continue to be possible. Be careful beneath glide cracks.
Snowpack
The most recent fresh fallen snow lies deposited on top of an often moist, superficially melt-freeze encrusted old snowpack up to high altitudes. With increasing altitude, particularly in ridgeline and pass zones, as well as behind protruberances in the landscape, small freshly-generated snowdrift accumulations occur. At high altitudes, especially on shady slopes, there are faceted intermediate layers inside the snowpack. These can be triggered in some places. There is still inadequate information available from off-piste terrain to the Avalanche Warning Service.
Tendency
Avalanche danger is expected to decrease further.
Danger level
Avalanche Problem
Gliding snow
Predominantly low avalanche danger
Avalanche danger is low. In extremely steep, especially shady terrain, small avalanches can be triggered by winter sports enthusiasts. Apart from being buried in snow masses, the risks of being swept along and forced to fall also require caution. Particularly naturally triggered slides and small-to-medium sized glide-snow avalanches are possible.
Snowpack
The most recent fresh fallen snow lies deposited on top of an often moist, superficially melt-freeze encrusted old snowpack up to high altitudes. Particularly in ridgeline zones, mostly small freshly-generated snowdrift accumulations occur. On steep grass-covered slopes, glide cracks and small-sized glide-snowslides have repeatedly been observed. There is still inadequate information available from off-piste terrain to the Avalanche Warning Service.
Tendency
No significant change in the avalanche situation is anticipated.
Danger level
2000m
Avalanche Problem
Gliding snow
2000m
Wind slab
2000m
Partly little snow: Be aware of the risk of falling and injury!
The avalanche danger is low. Sliding snow is the main problem at medium altitudes. On very steep, smooth ground, for example on meadows, in forest aisles and on rock slabs, individual smaller sliding snow avalanches can detach themselves. Areas below sliding snow cracks should be avoided.
At high altitudes, drifting snow can be problematic, especially on very steep slopes close to the crest with exposures from west to north to east. Small slab avalanches can occasionally be triggered there with a small additional load.
Snowpack
At medium elevations, the snow cover is moist and compact, often wet at the base. Overnight, a snow cover forms in many places. At higher altitudes, the snow cover is dry. Here, small accumulations of drifting snow develop close to the crest with winds from southerly directions. On shady slopes, layers of angular crystals have been preserved in the old snow in places.
Tendency
Avalanche danger remains low.
Danger level
2200m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
2200m
Little snow, small drift snow problem
The avalanche danger is low, the main danger is drift snow.
Above 2200 m, small slab avalanches can be triggered in a few places in west, north and east exposures.
Snowpack
The snow surface is wind-treated. In the upper part of the snow cover, overblown fresh snow can form a weak layer. Overall, there is still little snow.
Tendency
Little change.
Danger level
Avalanche Problem
Gliding snow
Wind slab
1800m
Avoid terrain under sliding snow cracks and small-scale drift snow areas
The avalanche danger is low. The main problem is the sliding snow on slopes with exposures from east to south to west. Small sliding snow avalanches can occur spontaneously up to the summits. There are localised danger spots for mostly small slab avalanches (drift snow problem), particularly in the Tauern region and at high altitudes in the northern Alps.
Snowpack
The snow surface is often loose and angular on the shaded side. Only at high altitudes can isolated angular weak layers be detected within the snowpack. In the high altitudes of the Tauern and Northern Alps, there are also small-scale drifts on the shaded side, which can be disturbed on the loose base. On the sunny side, the snow cover has settled a long way up and may have hardened in the morning.
