Windslab snow and weak old snowpack with low snow cover
The avalanche risk is moderate above 1800 metres and low below. Slab avalanches can be triggered in some places by small additional loads, but remain predominantly small. Avalanche prone locations increase rapidly above the tree line, at higher altitudes increasingly also in south-eastern aspects. Whumpfing collapsing sounds when stepping on the snowpack can indicate danger. During daytime changes, there is a low risk of small loose snow avalanches on sunny slopes. Terrain traps are less full due to lack of snow and therefore more effective.
Snowpack
The local snow surface varies greatly. There are areas with little snow next to considerable snowdrift accumulations. In windless, shady areas, there is surface hoar on the snowpack, but outgoing longwave radiation is somewhat reduced. A melt-freeze crust usually forms overnight, which softens up to high altitudes on the sunny slopes during the daytime changes. In addition, fresh wind slab begins to build up and is partially slightly soaked on the surface with sunlight, but is often also hard as a board. Where an old snowpack is present, there are faceted crystals on and under the crust at the transition to it, which can serve as a reactive weak layer. Fractures in the persistent weak layer usually occur here. Deeper in the old snowpack there is a sequence of faceted crystals, crusts and a lot of deep rime. The total snow depth is well below average.
Tendency
As the wind dies down, the danger within the stage decreases.
Danger level
1800m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
1800m
Persistent weak layer problem in the northern sector!
The avalanche risk is rated as moderate above 1,800 metres and low below that. Slab avalanches can be triggered in some places even with little additional load and can reach medium size when breaking through the persistent weak layer. The danger areas are located in particular in the north to east aspects behind ridgelines and terrain edges as well as in the entrance areas to steep gullies and bowls.
Snowpack
In the higher elevations, older wind slab snow lies in the northern and eastern exposures on an unstable snowpack with weak layers of faceted crystals and floating snow. On the sunny slopes, the snowpack is mostly settled and quite compact. Due to outgoing longwave radiation, surface hoar continues to grow, especially in shady areas.
Tendency
Several disturbances will cause changeable weather at the weekend. Already on Saturday there will be temporary unproductive snowfall, then from Sunday afternoon an Adriatic low will bring new fallen snow to the mountains.
The avalanche risk will hardly change until the snowfall on Sunday.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
Treeline
Persistent weak layer problem - local moderate avalanche danger!
The avalanche risk remains moderate in some areas above the tree line. Attention must still be paid to steep slopes adjacent to the ridgeline, transitions, terrain edges and steep bowls and gullies, especially in the northern and eastern sectors. Slab avalanches of up to medium size can still be triggered here in places even with low additional loads. Avoid small-scale fresh drifts caused by southerly winds, especially at higher elevations.
Snowpack
The partly unstable old snowpack still contains easily accessible weak layers such as faceted crystals and/or floating snow. This means that slab avalanches can easily be triggered here. Depending on the aspect and hardness, the snowpack varies in hardness on the surface, sometimes icy. Mostly at higher altitudes, there may still be small-scale, disruptive drifts. In general, there is little snow and it is distributed very differently. In addition to completely blown away areas, there are also well-filled areas.
Tendency
Still no significant change.
Danger level
1900m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
1900m
Skiable terrain is prone to triggering! Wind slab lies on weak old snowpack
The avalanche risk is moderate above around 1900 metres and low below. Slab avalanches can be triggered in some places by low additional loads and can reach medium size. Both fresh and older drift snow packs as well as the weakly built-up old snowpack can be disturbed, whereby fractures can tear through. Avalanche prone locations increase rapidly from the tree line upwards. They are concentrated from west to north to east, in some places in the southern sector in the high Alps, and generally next to blown-off areas. Drift snow areas should be consistently avoided. Whumpfing collapsing sounds can indicate danger. Terrain traps are less full due to a lack of snow and are therefore more effective.
Snowpack
The snow surface is very different locally. In windless, shady areas, there is surface hoar on the snowpack, but outgoing longwave radiation is reduced. There are areas with little snow next to considerable snowdrift accumulations. A melt-freeze crust usually forms overnight, which softens up to high altitudes on the sunny slopes. In addition, the wind slab begins to build up and is slightly moistened on the surface with sunlight, but is often also hard as a board. At the transition to the old snowpack, there are faceted crystals that serve as a reactive weak layer. Fractures in the persistent weak layer usually occur here. Deeper in the old snowpack there is a sequence of faceted crystals, crusts and a lot of deep rime. Ridges and ridges are often completely blown off.
Tendency
The risk of avalanches increases slightly with light snowfall.
Danger level
1800m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
1800m
Continue to watch out for weak layers built up in the snowpack.
The avalanche risk is moderate above 1800 metres and low below that. The main problem is a persistent weak layer. Dry slab avalanches can be triggered in places by a small additional load. Avalanche prone locations can be found at the transition from little to much snow, for example when entering gullies and bowls. Slab avalanches can reach medium size, especially on snowy eastern and northern slopes.
Snowpack
At higher altitudes, bonded snow lies on built-up layers, often in the area of surface crusts. These layers are still prone to triggering in places, especially above 1800 metres. The snowpack base consists mainly of faceted crystals. The snow surfaces are very varied, sometimes crust can form due to wind or heat, often dominated by thin breakable crust, at the highest altitudes the snow is sometimes soft on shady slopes. Some small-scale wind slab can develop at high altitudes. The snow depths are below average.
Tendency
Little change.
Danger level
2000m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2000m
Weak old snowpack with low snow cover
The avalanche risk is moderate above 2000 metres and low below. Slab avalanches can be triggered in some places by small additional loads, but they usually remain small. At higher altitudes, older wind slabs are still prone to triggering and avalanches triggered on the surface can tear through to the ground. Avalanche prone locations are concentrated in the northern sector. They increase rapidly with altitude, especially next to blown-off areas. Whumpfing collapsing sounds when stepping on the snowpack can indicate danger. In the afternoon, there is a low risk of spontaneous loose snow avalanches in the southern sector. Terrain traps are less full due to lack of snow and therefore more effective.
Snowpack
The snow surface is very different locally. In windless, shady areas, there is surface hoar on the snowpack, but outgoing longwave radiation is somewhat reduced. There are areas with little snow next to considerable snowdrift accumulations. A melt-freeze crust usually forms overnight, which softens up to summit level on the sunny slopes during the daytime changes. In addition, fresh wind slab snow begins to build up and is partially slightly soaked on the surface with sunlight, but is often also hard as a board. Where an old snowpack is present, there are faceted crystals on and under the crust at the transition to it, which can serve as a reactive weak layer. Fractures in the persistent weak layer usually occur here. Deeper in the old snowpack there is a sequence of faceted crystals, crusts and a lot of deep rime. The total snow depth is well below average.
Tendency
No significant change in avalanche danger.
Danger level
2000m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2000m
Persistent weak layer
2000m
Main danger: weak old snowpack layers.
It is possible to trigger slab avalanches in the old snow particularly by large additional loading. If a release sweeps away the entire snowpack the avalanche can grow to medium size. Danger zones are located expecially on steep shady slopes, but also in wind-loaded gullies and bowls in all aspects. Whumpf noises and fractures on the surface are alarm signals. Also remote triggerings continue to be possible. Activities in outlying terrain away from secured ski runs require experience in evaluating the terrain and assessment of avalanche dangers. In addition, trigger-sensitive snowdrift accumulations have been generated particularly in ridgline and pass areas.
Snowpack
The old snowpack is overall unfavorably structured. Intermediate layers inside the snow cover continue to be only moderately bonded together. In addition, older snowdrift accumulations on shady high-altitude slopes can be prone to triggering in places. As wind velocity increases, small snowdrifts will accumulate afresh in ridgeline and pass areas.
Tendency
In spite of some snowfall on Saturday, avalanche danger levels are not expected to change significantly. Main danger at high altitudes remains the unfavorably structured snowpack.
Danger level
1600m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
1600m
Ski tours hardly possible due to the low snow conditions.
The avalanche risk is low. Smaller avalanches can be triggered in persistent weak layers, especially with large additional loads. The few avalanche prone locations are found on extremely steep slopes in the northern and eastern aspects, especially when entering gullies and bowls.
Snowpack
Up to high altitudes, the snowpack has crusted can form on the surface. At higher altitudes, bonded snow lies in places on angular, built-up layers. During the daytime changes, the often hard-frozen snowpack only softens on the surface. Especially on sunny slopes, large areas will be bare again. Overall, there is little snow and ground contact is to be expected everywhere.
Tendency
The avalanche danger remains low.
Danger level
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
Low avalanche danger, isolated avalanche prone locations on shady slopes!
The avalanche danger is low. In extremely steep and shady slopes above the tree line, the triggering of small slab avalanches cannot be completely ruled out. The risk of injury and falling generally outweighs the risk of burial. In general, be careful in the hardness or icy entrance areas to steep gullies.
Snowpack
The snow surface is crusted can form and hard. The snow base, fundament is set and compact. In extremely steep gullies on shady slopes, the snow base, fundament is sometimes weakened by angular shapes, but these areas are rare.
Tendency
Several disturbances will cause changeable weather at the weekend. Already on Saturday there will be temporary unproductive snowfall, then from Sunday afternoon an Adriatic low will bring new fallen snow to the mountains.
The avalanche risk will hardly change until the snowfall on Sunday.
Danger level
Be aware of the risk of falling on partly icy ridgelines and on shady slopes.
The avalanche risk is low. In below-average snow conditions, there are only individual avalanche prone locations in extremely steep, on shady slopes above the tree line. Small slab avalanches can be triggered here, especially under high additional load. The risk of falling in steep gullies and in steep, partly icy areas adjacent to the ridgeline, crest or summit is 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.
Clouds and sunshine will alternate on Saturday, and a few snowflakes could fall from the sky in the Semmering and Rax areas. On Sunday, the clouds will quickly clear, the peaks will be covered in fog and at least a few centimetres of new fallen snow will fall in the evening and during the night into Monday. The detailed forecast is still uncertain.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
Treeline
Avalanche danger is low
Particularly near the ridges, areas of blown snow have formed, under which the snowpack is sheared off. In particular, even a light load can cause the Weak layer to collapse, in some cases even slipping into a small, folded avalanche.
Snowpack
dp.1: deep persistent weak layer
Snow is scarce and local conditions are quite variable. A crust has formed on the surface in some places, which in many places also bears the weight of sand. In the axis, the snowpack is mostly dry, compacted and hard on the surface, and completely cut at depth. Ridges and peaks are in many places blown down to a crusted or icy base.
Tendency
Avalanche conditions will remain similar in the coming days. The weather will get worse over the weekend.
Danger level
Low risk of small, wet avalanches
The avalanche risk is low. Individual small wet avalanches can spontaneously release from very steep terrain with the sun's rays. Terrain traps are less full due to a lack of snow and are therefore more effective.
Snowpack
Where there is still snow, the snowpack is moist to wet due to mild air and sunlight, depending on the altitudes, and closes with a melt-freeze crust, which forms a steep sunny slope during the day, but otherwise often remains hard and icy. The snow base, fundament is sometimes weakened by persistent weak layers.
Tendency
No significant change in avalanche danger.
Danger level
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
Moderate avalanche danger at higher altitudes
Avalanche danger is low. Isolated avalanche prone locations occur on extremely steep, mostly shady slopes. Small-sized avalanches can in isolated cases be triggered even by minimum additional loading. Danger zones occur most often in transition zones from shallow to deep snow, for example, at entry points into gullies and bowls. Apart from the risks of being buried in snow masses, the danger of being swept along and forced to take a fall also require caution.
Snowpack
The old snowpack is predominantly well consolidated. On shady slopes, weak layers in the old snow still persist in places. Due to mild temperatures, the snow at low and intermediate altitudes is moist and the snowpack surface melt-freeze encrusted in early morning. At low altitudes there is little snow on the ground.
Tendency
In spite of some snowfall on Saturday, avalanche danger levels are not expected to change significantly.
