Avalanche Service Salzburg

Tuesday 27 January 2026

Published 26 Jan 2026, 17:00:00


Danger level

2000m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2000m


Wind slab on weak old snowpack. Lots of stones.

The avalanche risk is moderate above 2000 metres and low below. Slab avalanches can be triggered in a few places by low additional loads and can reach medium size. Both fresh and older drift snowpacks as well as the weakly built-up old snowpack can be disturbed, 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 and the transition from little to more snow should be avoided. Whumpfing collapsing sounds when stepping on the snowpack can indicate danger.

Snowpack

There is 5 to 10 cm of new/wind slab snow on a locally very varied snow surface. There are areas with little snow next to considerable snowdrift accumulations. The older snowdrift accumulations have been transformed in places to build up and are soft, in places hard as a board. The old snowpack consists of crusts with faceted crystals in between and deep rime. A break usually occurs around the uppermost crust. The total snow depth is well below average.

Tendency

Avalanche risk increases on Wednesday with stormy southerly foehn and some new fallen snow.


Danger level

1900m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
1900m


Wind slab on weak persistent layer

The avalanche risk is moderate above 1900 metres and low below. In skiable terrain, small to medium-sized slab avalanches can be triggered in a few places, especially in the north and east sectors, by low additional loads. This is most likely in the transition from little to more snow. Avalanche prone locations increase rapidly above the tree line.

Snowpack

About 10 cm of snow/wind slab from Sunday lies on an otherwise very variable surface. There are areas with little snow next to snowdrift accumulations. The older wind slab has been transformed in places to build up and is soft, hard as a board in places. The old snowpack consists of crusts with faceted crystals in between and deep rime. Breakage usually occurs around the uppermost crust. The total snow depth is well below average.

Tendency

Some new fallen snow and southerly winds will increase the avalanche risk slightly on Wednesday.


Danger level



Hardly any snow and low avalanche danger.

The avalanche risk is low. The risk of stones and slipping on icy surfaces is higher than the risk of burial.

Snowpack

Little snow, lots of patches of ice. The hard to icy snow surface in the morning softens on the sunny slopes during the day. Edgy persistent weak layer weakens the snow base, fundament if present.

Tendency

No significant change in avalanche danger.


Danger level


Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer


Weak old snowpack with little snow.

The avalanche risk is low. At high altitudes in the northern and eastern sectors, a snow slab can still be triggered in a few places, especially with a large additional load. In extremely steep terrain, the transition from little to more snow and wind slab should be assessed critically.

Snowpack

Little snow, south-facing many apere surfaces, broad ridge and ridges often completely blown off. The snow surface is variable. The old snowpack is weak, with faceted crystals between crusts.

Tendency

No significant change in avalanche danger.