Danger level

1600m

Wind slab		1600m
Wet snow

Self-triggering of wet snow avalanches. Wind slab problem at altitude persists.

The avalanche danger is considerable above 1600 metres and moderate below. The main problem at higher altitudes is the wind slab. Slab avalanches can be triggered in blown-in areas, especially on steep slopes with north-west to east to south aspects and in gullies and bowls with low additional load. The number of avalanche prone locations increases with altitude and avalanches can become large in places at higher altitudes in areas with more snow. In addition, damp and wet avalanches of medium size can detach themselves. Very steep slopes of all aspects below 2000 metres are affected, especially sunny slopes at higher altitudes. Exposed hiking and transport routes may be affected.

Snowpack

Especially in the higher elevations, thick drifting snow packs are lying on soft layers or surface hoar and are interspersed with weak layers. Rain on Tuesday night will soak the snow at low and medium elevations. The warm temperatures and sunshine are also moistening the snow cover, snowpack is losing its binding properties. In addition, weak layers can collapse when exposed to moisture. At high altitudes, the base of the snowpack often consists of faceted crystals.

Tendency

Slow decline in avalanche danger.

Danger level

treeline

Wind slab		Treeline
New snow		1600m

Lots of new fallen snow and wind require restraint

The avalanche risk is considerable above the tree line and moderate below. Slab avalanches can be triggered in drift and new fallen snow in some places by even a small additional load and can also slide spontaneously in places. Avalanches reach medium size. Avalanche prone locations can be found in all aspects, adjacent to the ridgeline and distant from ridgelines, behind terrain edges, in gullies and bowls. They increase in size and frequency with altitude. Older snowdrift accumulations can be covered with snow and difficult to recognise. Cracks when walking on the snow cover, snowpack indicate the danger.

Snowpack

A total of 60 to 80 cm of new fallen snow has fallen in the last few days. Wind and snowfall are constantly forming fresh wind slab at altitude and the snow can also bind well on the surface due to the warming. Both soft snow, surface hoar and faceted crystals above/below the top crust can serve as a weak layer. The rest of the old snowpack is made up of layers of faceted crystals, deep rime and melt-freeze crusts, where it has little tendency to break up. The total snow depth is still well below average.

Tendency

The wind slab gradually settles as the weather warms up.

Danger level

2000m

Persistent weak layer		2000m
New snow		2000m

Considerable avalanche danger at high altitudes

One single person can trigger slab avalanches in the old snow. If the fracture sweeps away the entire snowpack, the release can grow to medium size. Danger zones occur especially on steep shady slopes and in wind-loaded gullies and bowls in all aspects. Whumpf noises and fractures on the snowpack surface are alarm signals. Also remote triggerings cannot be ruled out. In addition, small-sized fresh snowdrifts require special caution in high altitude ridgeline terrain and pass zones. Activities in backcountry demand experience in evaluating the terrain and assessing dangers. In zones with rain impact, increasingly frequent wet snowslides and avalanches are possible. Also gliding snow activity is increasing again.

Snowpack

The fresh fallen snow and drifts from the most recent period of precipitation have settled further as a result of higher temperatures. Bonding to the often loosely-packed, faceted, expansively metamorphosed old snowpack surface, often with surface hoar, continues to be moderate-to-poor in places. In addition, layers inside the recent fresh snow and drifts are often still prone to triggering. Up to intermediate altitudes the snowpack has been weakened in places by rain impact.

Tendency

Avalanche danger receding only slowly at high altitudes

Danger level

1800m

Wind slab		1800m
New snow		1800m

Considerable avalanche danger at higher altitudes

Avalanche danger is considerable above 1800m, moderate below that altitude. The main problem is the drifted snow. One single winter sports enthusiast can trigger small-to-medium sized slab avalanches in wind-loaded zones, particularly on steep NW-E-SE facing slopes and in gullies and bowls. In zones with rain impact, increasingly frequent wet snowslides and avalanches will be possible during the course of the day. Also gliding snow activity is increasing again.

Snowpack

The fresh fallen snow and drifts from the most recent period of precipitation have settled further as a result of higher temperatures. Bonding to the often loosely-packed, faceted, expansively metamorphosed old snowpack surface, often with surface hoar, continues to be moderate-to-poor in places. In addition, layers inside the recent fresh snow and drifts are often still prone to triggering. Up to intermediate altitudes the snowpack has been weakened in places by rain impact.

Tendency

Avalanche danger receding only slowly

Danger level

treeline

Persistent weak layer

Treeline

Significant avalanche danger in all aspects! Even a single person can trigger a slab avalanche!

The avalanche danger is considerable above the tree line (level 3), below it is low. In particular, older snowdrift accumulations, but also bonded snow in all aspects due to warming, can be triggered as medium slab avalanches in many places, especially behind ridgelines, terrain edges and in gullies and bowls, even under slight additional load.

Snowpack

Up to 60 cm of new fallen snow has fallen since Thursday. The snow has been transported to the eastern sectors by stormy westerly to north-westerly winds over a large area, but locally all directions and also forest aisles below the tree line may be affected. As a result of the warming, a bound snow layer will also develop in places where there was previously unbound powder. Weak layers are mainly found between drift and new fallen snow and the old snowpack (unstable layer of faceted crystals). In the foundation of the snow cover, kinetic metamorphism (floating snow) weakens the stability.

Tendency

Wednesday will be mild and mostly sunny. Although the warming may lead to some spontaneous avalanches, the avalanche danger is slowly decreasing.

Danger level

treeline

Wind slab		Treeline
Wet snow		2000m
Persistent weak layer		2000m

Wet snow avalanches are possible as the weather warms up, especially in the mid-mountains

The most dangerous places are those with blown snow, where a heavy load can trigger a small to medium-sized Avalanche. Greater caution is needed in ravines and gullys, where there may be large amounts of blowing snow. Individual wet snow avalanches are possible as the weather warms up, especially in the mid-mountains.

Snowpack

dp.4: cold following warm / warm following cold

The snow base is uneven due to the influence of wind. There is some light snow in the sheltered areas of the high alpine regions, but for the most part the snow base is hard and covered with a crust. Greater caution is needed, especially in places where wind has created new snow layers. The thaw has softened the snowpack in the mid-mountains.

Tendency

It will remain warm, with isolated avalanches of southern snow still possible, especially in the central mountains. Above the tree line, there will still be dangerous spots of blowing snow.

Danger level

treeline

Wind slab

Treeline

Prone to triggering wind slabs must still be observed and avoided!

The avalanche risk is classified as considerable in the higher elevations, in some cases even from the tree line upwards. Attention should be paid to older, partly somewhat covered prone-to-triggering wind slabs and locally small-scale fresh wind slabs. It is still possible for medium-sized slab avalanches to be triggered by small additional loads in steep terrain, especially in areas adjacent to the ridgeline, crests or summits and in filled-in bowls and gullies. As temperatures become milder and the snowfall level rises to around 1500 metres, wet loose snow avalanches and wet snow avalanches are possible from steep slopes.

Snowpack

Due to some new fallen snow until Tuesday morning and strong winds from the west, there will be some fresh wind slab in the higher elevations. The older wind slab, some of which is prone to triggering in the higher elevations, will be covered. The bonding to the old snowpack is not yet sufficient. Crystals that have been converted to build-up are generally weakening the snow base, fundamentally. The snow cover, snowpack can settle with the milder temperatures. It becomes moist below the snowfall level. The snow cover, snowpack is distributed very differently, with well-filled areas in addition to blown-off areas.

Tendency

The snow cover, snowpack can settle with the milder temperatures. The number of avalanche prone locations decreases.

Danger level

treeline

Wind slab

Treeline

Fresh wind slab prone to triggering

The avalanche risk is considerable above the tree line and low below. Slab avalanches can be triggered in some places by even a small additional load and can reach medium size. Occasionally, avalanches can also slide off spontaneously. Most avalanche prone locations are located on west to north to south-east facing slopes, behind terrain edges, in gullies and bowls and also in the forest boundary area. They increase in size and frequency with altitude. Cracks when walking on the snow cover, snowpack indicate the danger. In addition to the risk of burial, the danger of being swept away and falling must be taken into account. There are also many rocks lurking around.

Snowpack

A total of 50 to 60 cm of new fallen snow has fallen in the last few days. Wind and snowfall are constantly forming fresh wind slab at altitude and the snow can also bind well on the surface due to the warming. Both soft snow, surface hoar and faceted crystals above/below the top crust can serve as a weak layer for snowdrift accumulations. The rest of the old snowpack consists of layers of faceted crystals, deep rime and melt-freeze crusts and has little tendency to break up. Below 1400 metres, rainfall moistened the snow cover on Friday, and a melt-freeze crust has formed within the new snowpack. The total snow depth is still well below average.

Tendency

The wind slab gradually settles as the weather warms up.

Danger level

treeline

Wind slab

Treeline

Fresh and older snowdrift accumulations are prone to disruption

The avalanche risk is considerable above the tree line and low below. Slab avalanches can be triggered in some places by even a small additional load and occasionally slide off spontaneously. Avalanches can reach medium size. Avalanche prone locations can be found in all areas adjacent to the ridgeline and area distant from ridgelines, behind terrain edges, in gullies and bowls and also in the forest boundary area. They increase in size and frequency with altitude. Cracks when walking on the snow cover, snowpack indicate the danger. In addition to the risk of burial, the danger of being swept away and falling must be taken into account. There are also many rocks lurking around.

Snowpack

A total of around 60 cm of new fallen snow has fallen in the last few days. Wind and snowfall are constantly forming fresh wind slabs at altitude and the snow can also bind well on the surface due to the warming. Still soft snow, surface hoar as well as faceted crystals above/below the top crust can serve as a weak layer. The rest of the old snowpack is made up of layers of faceted crystals, deep rime and melt-freeze crusts, where it has little tendency to break up. The total snow depth is still well below average.

Tendency

The wind slab gradually settles as the weather warms up.

Danger level

treeline

Wind slab		Treeline
Wet snow

Snowdrift accumulations are prone to triggering in places, note the occasional wet slide

The avalanche danger is moderate at higher altitudes. In a few places, drifting snow areas can be triggered by a single person as small slab avalanches. The avalanche prone locations are located in particular in the steep terrain adjacent to the ridgeline, crest or summit with aspects from northwest to east to south as well as in gullies and bowls. The risk of being swept away and falling is greater than the risk of burial. In addition, small, spontaneous loose snow slides are possible from extremely steep slope areas with increasing moistening of the snow cover, snowpack and warming.

Snowpack

Wind slabs deposited on a soft layer of snow interspersed with graupel are occasionally prone to triggering. Weak layers for slab avalanches are formed by soft layers of snow (new fallen snow, faceted crystals) in the transition to the crusted can form. The snow cover, snowpack loses firmness with rainfall and warming. In general, the amount of snow is still well below average.

Tendency

Increasing high pressure will ensure several stable, dry days. A westerly high-altitude current will continue to bring in mild air at high altitudes and it will often remain frost-free throughout in the low mountain regions. The risk of drifting snow decreases.

Danger level

treeline

Wind slab

Treeline

Note small snowdrift accumulations adjacent to the ridgeline, crest or summit

The avalanche risk is moderate above the tree line and low below. In some places, wind slab adjacent to the ridgeline can be triggered as a mostly small slab avalanche by even a small additional load. Most avalanche prone locations are in the north and east sector behind terrain edges, in gullies and bowls. The risk of falling outweighs the risk of burial away from terrain traps. Also beware of stones that are only slightly covered by snow.

Snowpack

In the last few days, 10 to 20 cm of new fallen snow has fallen. Soft new fallen snow overlaid by wind slabs can form a weak layer near the surface. Overall, there is little snow and there are no pronounced weak layers within the old snowpack.

Tendency

The wind slab gradually settles as the weather warms up.

Danger level

treeline

Persistent weak layer

Treeline

Moderate avalanche danger above the tree line. Even a single person can trigger a slab avalanche!

The avalanche danger is moderate above the tree line (level 2) and low below. In particular, older snowdrift accumulations, but also bonded snow in all aspects can be triggered as a small to medium slab avalanche in some places, especially behind ridgelines, terrain edges and in gullies and bowls, even with a small additional load.

Snowpack

Up to 30 cm of new fallen snow has fallen since Thursday. The snow has been transported to the eastern sectors by stormy westerly to north-westerly winds on a large scale, but all directions can be affected locally. Due to the warming, a bound snow layer is also developing in places where there was previously unbound powder. Weak layers are mainly found between drift and new fallen snow and the old snowpack (unstable layer of faceted crystals). In the foundation of the snow cover, kinetic metamorphism (floating snow) weakens the stability.

Tendency

Wednesday will be mild and mostly sunny. Although the warming may lead to some spontaneous avalanches, the avalanche danger is slowly decreasing.

Danger level

treeline

Wind slab

Treeline

Watch out for wind slab!

The avalanche risk is mainly classified as moderate at high altitudes, locally from the tree line upwards. Note older, prone-to-triggering wind slabs, some of which are somewhat covered, and locally small-scale fresh wind slabs. The triggering of medium-sized slab avalanches due to low additional loads in steep terrain, especially in areas adjacent to the ridgeline, as well as in filled-in bowls and gullies, cannot be ruled out. As temperatures become milder and the snowfall level rises to around 1500 metres, wet loose snow avalanches and wet snow avalanches are possible from steep slopes.

Snowpack

Due to some new fallen snow until Tuesday morning and strong winds from the west, there will be some fresh wind slab in the higher elevations. The older wind slab, some of which is prone to triggering at higher elevations, will be covered. The bonding to the old snowpack is not yet sufficient. Crystals that have been transformed to build up are generally weakening the snow base, fundamentally. The snow cover, snowpack can settle with the milder temperatures. It becomes moist below the snowfall level. The snow cover, snowpack is distributed very differently, with well-filled areas in addition to blown-off areas.

Tendency

The snow cover, snowpack will continue to settle. The number of avalanche prone locations is decreasing.

Danger level

Note isolated snowdrift accumulations and wet slide

The avalanche danger is low. Nevertheless, there are isolated snowdrift accumulations behind exposed ridges and ridgelines as well as in gullies and bowls that are triggered as small slab avalanches. The risk of falling outweighs the risk of burial. In addition, small, spontaneous loose snow slides are possible from extremely steep slope areas as the snow cover becomes wetter and warms up.

Snowpack

At higher altitudes, snowdrift accumulations lie sporadically on soft layers of snow, which can act as a weak layer. The snow cover, snowpack loses firmness with rainfall and warming. In general, the amount of snow is still well below average.

Tendency

Increasing high pressure will ensure several stable, dry days. A westerly high-altitude current will continue to bring in mild air at high altitudes and it will often remain frost-free throughout in the low mountain regions. The risk of drifting snow decreases.

Danger level

treeline

Persistent weak layer

Treeline

Low avalanche danger, but isolated avalanche prone locations!

The avalanche danger is low. However, older snowdrift accumulations in gullies and bowls and behind broad ridges and ridgelines above the tree line can occasionally be triggered as small slab avalanches.

Snowpack

Snowdrift accumulations often lie on faceted crystals or surface hoar, which can act as a weak layer. However, the warming has a stabilising effect on this weak layer. Windward terrain is usually blown off and almost snow-free.

Tendency

Wednesday will be mild and mostly sunny. The avalanche risk remains low.

Danger level

Wet snow

Wet snow avalanches are possible as the weather warms up, especially in the mid-mountains

Individual creeps and small wet snow avalanches are possible as the weather warms up.

Snowpack

dp.4: cold following warm / warm following cold

The warming temperatures have softened the snowpack.

Tendency

It will stay warm, but the danger of avalanches will remain similar.

Danger level

treeline

Wind slab

Treeline

Snowdrift accumulations are prone to triggering in places, note the occasional wet slide

The avalanche danger is low. Nevertheless, drift snow areas can be triggered by a single person as small slab avalanches in a few places. The avalanche prone locations are located in particular in the steep terrain adjacent to the ridgeline, crest or summit with aspects from north-west to east to south as well as in gullies and bowls. The risk of being swept away and falling is greater than the risk of burial. In addition, small, spontaneous loose snow slides are possible from extremely steep slope areas with increasing moistening of the snow cover, snowpack and warming.

Snowpack

Wind slabs deposited on a soft layer of snow interspersed with graupel are occasionally prone to triggering. Weak layers for slab avalanches are formed by soft layers of snow (new fallen snow, faceted crystals) in the transition to the crusted can form. The snow cover, snowpack loses firmness with rainfall and warming. In general, the amount of snow is still well below average.

Tendency

Increasing high pressure will ensure several stable, dry days. A westerly high-altitude current will continue to bring in mild air at high altitudes and it will often remain frost-free throughout in the low mountain regions. The risk of drifting snow decreases.