As a result of fresh fallen snow and strong-velocity westerly winds, snowdrift accumulations which are prone to triggering are being generated. They are easy to trigger in places and can grow to medium sized avalanches. Danger zones are located primarily on shady W-N-E facing slopes above 2000m, particularly in ridgeline terrain, in wind-loaded gullies and bowls. Apart from the risks of being buried in snow masses, the dangers of being swept along and forced to take a fall also require caution.
Snowpack
Strong-velocity westerly winds will transport 10-25cm of fresh fallen snow. The fresh snowdrift accumulations will be deposited mostly on shady slopes atop an unfavorable old snowpack surface, they are prone to triggering. Beneath the frequently thin melt-freeze crust, the old snow has metamorphosed expansively and is weak. Snow depths are below average at all altitudes. Only limited information is currently available to the Avalanche Warning Services.
Tendency
Brittle, delicate snowdrifts will remain trigger sensitive.
Danger level
2400m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
2400m
Persistent weak layer
2600m
Prone to triggering snowdrift accumulations should be avoided
The avalanche danger is moderate above 2400 m and low below. Slab avalanches can still be triggered in some places above around 2400 m by small additional loads (individual people) in the wind slab and can occasionally be of medium size. Danger areas due to wind slab avalanches are usually easy to recognise and are located particularly adjacent to the ridgeline, behind the edges of the terrain and in gullies and bowls. In shady slopes, there are also isolated trigger points for small to medium-sized slab avalanches in persistent weak layers that are difficult to disturb. There is a risk of burial in particular in the vicinity of terrain traps.
Snowpack
The snow cover, snowpack is highly variable. On the surface, there are blown-in areas with clearly recognisable snowdrift accumulations next to blown-off areas where a melt-freeze crust forms the snow surface. Beneath this is a fluffy layer of faceted crystals and melt-freeze crusts. Prone to triggering weak layers are most likely to be found in the fresh drift snow packs and at the transition to the melt-freeze crust. Due to the overall heavily built-up transformed snow cover, the fracture propagation potential deeper in the old snowpack is generally low, but in isolated places a prone to triggering combination of weak layer and snowpack cannot be ruled out. The snow depth is well below average at all altitudes.
Tendency
No significant change in avalanche danger.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Snowdrift accumulations require caution
As a result of fresh fallen snow and strong-velocity westerly winds, snowdrift accumulations which are prone to triggering are being generated. They are easy to trigger in places and can grow to medium sized avalanches. Danger zones are located primarily on shady W-N-E facing slopes above the timberline, particularly in ridgeline terrain, in wind-loaded gullies and bowls. Apart from the risks of being buried in snow masses, the dangers of being swept along and forced to take a fall also require caution.
Snowpack
Strong-velocity westerly winds will transport 10-25cm of fresh fallen snow. The fresh snowdrift accumulations will be deposited mostly on shady slopes atop an unfavorable old snowpack surface, they are prone to triggering. Beneath the frequently thin melt-freeze crust, the old snow has metamorphosed expansively and is weak. Snow depths are below average at all altitudes. Only limited information is currently available to the Avalanche Warning Services.
Tendency
Brittle, delicate snowdrifts will remain trigger sensitive
Danger level
2000m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
2000m
Fresh and older wind slabs are prone to triggering.
The avalanche danger is moderate above 2000 metres and low below that. In some places, wind slab avalanches can be triggered as small to medium sized slab avalanches at high altitudes due to low additional loads. This occurs adjacent to the ridgeline and distant from ridgelines in steep terrain in northern and eastern aspects as well as in gullies and bowls. In addition to the risk of burial, the risk of being swept away and falling must be taken into account.
Snowpack
Fresh and older snowdrift accumulations lie on unfavourable layers, especially on the shady slopes, sometimes prone to triggering. At higher and higher altitudes, faceted crystals are often found below a melt-freeze crust close to the surface. Snow depths are below average at all altitudes.
Tendency
Slow decline in avalanche danger.
Danger level
2000m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
2000m
In the steep terrain of the high altitudes, continue to pay attention to wind slab!
Moderate avalanche danger due to wind slab in the higher elevations. Some more new fallen snow and continued strong to stormy winds from the west to northwest. Avalanche prone locations due to wind slab are mainly in areas adjacent to the ridgelines, bowls, gullies and in places also distant from ridgelines. The triggering of small to medium slab avalanches is possible due to low additional loads. The mostly easily recognisable avalanche prone locations should be avoided.
Snowpack
The snow cover, snowpack is characterised by the strong to stormy winds and repeated snowfall over the last few days. The drifting snow layers of different ages may contain thin intermediate layers. The bonding to the hardness of the thin old snowpack is not yet sufficient and it contains crystals that have been transformed by building up. The snow depths are very below average, even at high altitudes.
Tendency
No significant change in the snow and avalanche situation.
Danger level
2000m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
2000m
Pay attention to prone to triggering snow packs.
There is a moderate avalanche risk above 2000 metres. Only a little new fallen snow will fall on Friday evening and Saturday night. However, the stormy westerly winds will continue to cause drifting, resulting in prone-to-triggering snowdrift accumulations. These can be triggered by individuals as small to medium-sized slab avalanches, especially behind broad ridges and ridgelines in northern, eastern and southern aspects as well as in gullies and bowls. The avalanche prone locations are easily recognisable if visibility is good.
Snowpack
The existing snow cover, snowpack is strongly characterised by the wind of the last few days. The drifting snow of the last few days has mostly deposited on soft layers in transition to persistent weak layers or older wind slab. In the evening and on Saturday night, 5 to 10 centimetres of new fallen snow will fall. The strong westerly wind may cause further drift snow packs to form. The connection between them is poor at high altitudes. There are also weak layers of faceted crystals in the old snow foundation, especially on the shady slopes. The composition and thickness of the snow cover, snowpack varies greatly in a small area. There is often insufficient old snowpack.
Tendency
The snow packs remain prone to triggering. A significant change in the avalanche situation is not expected.
Sunday will be sunny and cold. The wind will blow moderately to strongly from the northwest. From Monday to Wednesday, snowfall is expected from the south in wintry cold conditions.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Avalanches can be of medium size.
The avalanche risk is moderate above the tree line and low below. Wind slab avalanches can be triggered by even a small additional load. This occurs adjacent to the ridgeline and distant from ridgelines in steep terrain in northern and eastern aspects as well as in gullies and bowls. Avalanches can reach medium size. In addition to the risk of burial, the risk of being swept away and falling must be taken into account.
Snowpack
With a focus on the Allgäu, 10-25 centimetres of new fallen snow will fall, carried by stormy winds from westerly directions. The fresh and older snowdrift accumulations often lie unfavourably on a thin melt-freeze crust, especially on the shady slopes. Under the melt-freeze crust, the snow has built up and forms a weak layer. Intermediate layers prone to triggering can also be contained within the wind slab. The snow depths are below average at all altitudes.
Tendency
Slow decline in avalanche danger.
Danger level
Watch out locally for small snowdrift accumulations
The avalanche risk is low, isolated danger areas due to small-scale snowdrift accumulations are located behind terrain edges and in gullies and bowls. The drift snow packs are usually easily recognisable, but danger areas due to stones under the thin snow cover, snowpack are often not.
Snowpack
There is a below-average amount of snow, the snow cover, snowpack is highly variable and touring options are severely limited. In shady slopes at high altitudes, there are isolated weak layers of faceted crystals in the snow cover, mostly in the vicinity of crusts. Away from this, there is a succession of thin layers of drift snow on the meadows.
Tendency
No change in avalanche danger.
Danger level
2200m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
2200m
Snowdrift accumulations can be prone to disturbance, beware of injuries from stones
The avalanche danger is low. Slab avalanches can be triggered above 2200 m in a few places by small additional loads (individual people) in the wind slab, but remain small. Be careful in the area of terrain traps, as enough snow could still accumulate here to bury people. Danger areas due to wind slabs are located particularly behind exposed terrain edges and in gullies and bowls. The drift snow packs are usually easily recognisable, but danger areas due to stones under the thin snow cover, snowpack are often not.
Snowpack
The snow cover, snowpack is highly variable. On the surface, there are blown-in areas with clearly recognisable snowdrift accumulations next to blown-off areas where a melt-freeze crust forms the snow surface. Beneath this is a fluffy layer of faceted crystals and melt-freeze crusts. Prone to triggering weak layers are most likely to be found in the fresh drift snow packs and at the transition to the melt-freeze crust. Due to the overall heavily built-up transformed snow cover, the fracture propagation potential deeper in the old snowpack is generally low. The snow depth is well below average at all altitudes.
Tendency
No significant change in avalanche danger.
Danger level
Avalanche Problem
No distinct avalanche problem
Note the snowdrift accumulations in the Niedere Tauern.
The avalanche risk is low. Injuries from stones or falling remain the main danger. Especially in the Niedere Tauern, fresh snowdrift accumulations form occasionally. Large additional loads can trigger small slab avalanches in a few places, especially behind exposed ridges and ridgelines as well as gullies and bowls that have been blown in. The avalanche prone locations are generally easy to recognise. The risk of being swept away and falling is greater than the risk of burial.
Snowpack
Due to the strong winds on Friday, fresh snowdrift accumulations have been deposited on the crusted old snowpack. Often a built-up surface or older wind slab is covered. The connection between the fresh snowdrift accumulations and the existing snow cover, snowpack is usually poor. The nature and thickness of the snow cover, snowpack varies greatly in a small area. There is often insufficient old snowpack. In general, there is little snow.
Tendency
No significant change in the avalanche situation is expected.
Sunday will be sunny and cold. The wind will blow moderately to strongly from the northwest. Between Monday and Wednesday, snowfall is expected from the south in wintry cold conditions.
Danger level
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Watch out for small snowdrift accumulations.
The avalanche risk is low. Occasionally, small snowdrift accumulations can be triggered as a small slab by a small additional load. This occurs adjacent to the ridgeline and distant from ridgelines in the steep terrain of northern and eastern aspects. Be aware of the risk of being swept away and falling.
Snowpack
Stormy winds and a few centimetres of new fallen snow have created small-scale wind slabs. The fresh and older snowdrift accumulations are only slightly thick, but are prone to triggering, especially on the shady slopes. At higher and higher altitudes, there are often faceted crystals down to the ground below a melt-freeze crust close to the surface. There are only a few centimetres of snow on the sunny slopes.
Tendency
Little change.
Danger level
2000m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2000m
Wind slab
Treeline
The danger of Avalanche is low.
The snowpack is mostly stable. In some places in the high alpine regions, especially on fresh drifts of blown snow, a small, clustered avalanche can be triggered under higher loads.
Snowpack
dp.4: cold following warm / warm following cold
There is little snow, and the peaks and ridges are in some places blown bare. In the high alpine regions, weak layers may be present in the Old snow cover.
On prominent Sunny slopes, the snow has been frozen off and then frozen over, forming a drift.
Tendency
The weather on Sunday morning will be similar to Saturday afternoon. It will clear from the NW in the afternoon. There will be a strong E wind. Monday will be sunny in the morning, with more clouds in the afternoon. Above 1500 m it will be around -8 °C. Avalanche conditions will remain similar.
