Avalanche Service Styria

Saturday 10 January 2026

Published 10 Jan 2026, 08:25:00


Danger level

treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline


Moderate avalanche danger above the tree line due to fresh wind slab!

The avalanche danger is 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

Since Thursday, up to 30 cm of new fallen snow, sometimes interspersed with graupel, has been transported to the eastern sectors, especially in the northern Alps, by strong westerly to north-westerly winds, 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 can contain weak layers and often lies on an unstable layer of faceted crystals or surface hoar. In the foundation of the snow cover, kinetic metamorphism (floating snow) weakens the stability.

Tendency

During the night to Sunday, some new fallen snow will be added in the north of the country and the avalanche risk will continue to slowly increase.


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 and behind ridges and ridgelines above the tree line are prone to disruption and can be triggered by individuals as small slab avalanches.

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

During the night to Sunday, a little new fallen snow will be added in the north of the country and the avalanche risk will increase slightly there.