Avalanche Service Lower Austria

Thursday 22 January 2026

Published 22 Jan 2026, 08:00:00


Danger level



Be aware of the risk of falling in steep, partly icy areas adjacent to the ridgeline, crest or summit and in crusted can forms.

The avalanche risk is low. In below-average snow conditions, there are only individual avalanche prone locations for small slab avalanches in extremely steep, on shady slopes above the tree line, which can be triggered by large additional loads. The risk of falling in crusted canyons and in steep, partly icy areas adjacent to the ridgeline, crest or summit is much higher than the risk of burial.

Snowpack

The snowpack is well below average for the time of year. In sunny slopes, it is mostly bare beyond the tree line. On shady slopes, the thin snow surface is crusted can form and hard, sometimes icy. At higher altitudes it is mostly blown off, only in areas sheltered from the wind is there a little more snow. In extremely steep gullies on shady slopes, angular shapes can weaken the snow base, fundament. Above this, however, there is usually only a little snow.

Tendency

The avalanche danger remains the same. The high pressure weather will continue until Saturday. The wind will be weak to moderate in the Ybbstal Alps and moderate to strong from the south-west from the Rax-Schneeberg area to the Hochwechsel. Clouds are already gathering on Saturday. From today's perspective, an Adriatic low is expected on Sunday and Monday, which could bring a significant amount of new snow. However, the forecast is still very uncertain.