Avalanche Service Styria Friday 9 January 2026

Danger level

treeline

Avalanche Problem

Wind slab

Treeline

Increase in avalanche danger due to fresh wind slab!

The avalanche danger increases to moderate above the tree line. Fresh snowdrift accumulations, mainly in the north, east and south sectors, can be triggered as medium slab avalanches in some places behind ridgelines, terrain edges and in gullies and bowls due to low additional loads.

Snowpack

Up to 20 cm of new fallen snow, sometimes interspersed with graupel, is being transported to the eastern sectors by strong westerly winds, especially in the northern Alps, where it forms bound wind slab. In regions and terrain with little wind, the new fallen snow remains soft and powdery. The fresh wind slab is often covered by a weak layer of faceted crystals or surface hoar. In the foundation of the snow cover, kinetic metamorphism (floating snow) weakens the stability.

Tendency

The weather will calm down briefly on Saturday morning before snowfall starts again with the influx of cold polar air. The risk of avalanches increases slightly.

Danger level

treeline

Avalanche Problem

Wind slab

Treeline

Low avalanche danger, but watch out for fresh wind slab!

The avalanche danger is low. However, fresh snowdrift accumulations in gullies and bowls that have been blown in as well as behind ridges and ridgelines above the tree line are prone to disruption and can be triggered by a single person as a small slab avalanche.

Snowpack

Fresh snowdrift accumulations often lie on faceted crystals or surface hoar, which can act as a weak layer. Apart from this, the old snow surface is only covered by a few centimetres of new fallen snow. In general, kinetic metamorphism weakens the thin snow base, fundament. Windward terrain is usually blown off and almost snow-free.

Tendency

The weather will calm down briefly on Saturday morning before moderate snowfall sets in again with an influx of cold polar air. The risk of avalanches increases slightly.