The current snowpack pattern is uncommon and requires special attention and caution!
Heavy snow with wind
The danger of avalanches increases when it snows. New fallen snow has poor adhesion to the old base. Avalanches of dry snow will also occur spontaneously above the tree line, and can be large. This is particularly the case on northern slopes where weak layers are present in the old snow cover. At the time of the snowfall, moderate to strong southerly winds were blowing, transporting large amounts of light snow and building up new snow layers, especially in the high alpine regions. Altitudes are between 1700 and 1800 m, and weather conditions are such that snow or rain is falling. Gliding avalanches are possible.
Snowpack
dp.1: deep persistent weak layer dp.5: snowfall after a long period of cold
Rainfall intensified on Wednesday. Snowfall ranged from 20 to 40 cm, dry in the high alpine regions and increasingly wet below about 1700 m. There were moderate to strong southerly winds, which built up in large areas. Deep and persistent weak layers are present in the old snow cover. The snowpack is unstable in many places. Another 10 to 20 cm of snow will fall by Thursday evening.
Tendency
Friday looks dry, with clouds breaking up. The danger of Avalanches will remain similar.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
Treeline
New snow
Treeline
Wind slab
Treeline
Gliding snow
1700m
The current snowpack pattern is uncommon and requires special attention and caution!
Heavy snow with wind
The danger of avalanches increases when it snows. New fallen snow has poor adhesion to the old base. Avalanches of dry snow will also occur spontaneously above the tree line, and can be large. This is particularly the case on northern slopes where weak layers are present in the old snow cover. At the time of the snowfall, moderate to strong southerly winds were blowing, transporting large amounts of light snow and building up new snow layers, especially in the high alpine regions. Altitudes of 1700 m or higher are seeing weather that involves snow or rain, and there is a possibility of gliding avalanches.
Snowpack
dp.1: deep persistent weak layer dp.5: snowfall after a long period of cold
Rainfall intensified on Wednesday. By the evening, 10 to 30 cm of snow had fallen, dry in the high alpine regions and increasingly wet below about 1700 m. There were moderate to strong southerly winds, which built up in large areas. Deep and persistent weak layers are present in the old snow cover. The snowpack is unstable in many places. Another 10 to 20 cm of snow will fall by Thursday evening.
Tendency
Friday looks dry, with clouds breaking up. The danger of avalanches will remain similar.
Danger level
2000m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
2000m
Persistent weak layer
2000m
Wind slab
2000m
Beware: fresh, trigger-sensitive snowdrifts
With ascending altitude, fresh snowdrifts are increasingly prone to triggering. One single winter sports enthusiast can trigger slab avalanches. Danger zones occur particularly on steep shady slopes, but also in wind-loaded gullies and bowls and behind sudden drops in the terrain. The old snow can trigger avalanches particularly from large additional loading. The avalanche prone locations are not visible, especially on steep shady slopes. If a release sweeps along the entire snowpack with it, the avalanche can grow to medium size. Activities in backcountry demand careful evaluation of the terrain and the dangers as well as a large measure of restraint.
Snowpack
The 15-20cm of fresh snow and snowdrift accumulations at high altitudes from recent days lie deposited on top of a weak old snowpack surface, especially on steep shady slopes. In some ridgeline zones, in wind-loaded gullies and bowls and behind sharp drops in the terrain, freshly generated snowdrifts have accumulated which are prone to triggering.
Tendency
Fresh snow and drifts deposited atop the old snowpack surface remain prone to triggering.
Danger level
2000m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2000m
Wind slab
2000m
Caution: Prone to triggering wind slab and weak persistent weak layer are difficult to recognise!
The avalanche risk is considerable above 2000 m and low below. Above around 2000 m, slab avalanches can be triggered in some places by individual winter sports enthusiasts and can be of medium size. The number and size of avalanche prone locations generally increase rapidly above the tree line, some of them are covered in snow and therefore difficult to recognise! Take particular care in the entrance areas to steep gullies and bowls as well as behind terrain edges, where prone-to-triggering snow packs are located. These and the transitions from little to more snow should be consistently avoided. Whumpfing collapsing sounds when stepping on the snowpack can indicate danger.
Snowpack
On a locally very varied snow surface lies partly fresh, prone to triggering wind slab snow from Wednesday, which is covered overnight and on Thursday by 10 -20 centimetres of mostly soft new fallen snow. In general, there are often areas with little snow next to considerable snowdrift accumulations. The older snowdrift accumulations and the old snow surface have been transformed in places and are soft and 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, but can also take deeper layers with it. The total snow depth is well below average.
Tendency
Hardly any decrease in avalanche danger, the weak layers in the snowpack remain prone to triggering.
Danger level
2000m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2000m
Wind slab
2000m
Prone to triggering wind slab and weak old snowpack are difficult to recognise!
The avalanche risk is moderate above 2000 metres and low below that. Above around 2000 m, slab avalanches can be triggered in a few places, sometimes by individual winter sports enthusiasts, and can occasionally reach medium size if they tear through the old snowpack. The avalanche prone locations increase rapidly from the tree line, they are partly covered in snow and therefore difficult to recognise. Take particular care in the west, north and east aspects, especially at the entrances to steep gullies and bowls and behind terrain edges. Whumpfing collapsing sounds when stepping on the snowpack can indicate danger. In addition to the risk of burial, the risk of being swept away and falling should also be taken into account.
Snowpack
On a locally very varied snow surface, there are some fresh, prone-to-triggering pillows of wind drifted snow from Wednesday, which will be covered by 10-15 centimetres of new and drifted snow overnight and on Thursday. In general, there are often areas with little snow next to considerable snowdrift accumulations. Older snowdrift accumulations and the old snow surface have been transformed in places and are soft and 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
Hardly any decrease in avalanche danger. The weak layers in the snowpack remain prone to triggering.
Danger level
1800m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
1800m
Wind slab
Treeline
Persistent weak layer problem and some wind slab!
The avalanche risk is still rated as moderate above 1,800 metres and low below that. Older snowdrift accumulations can be triggered as slab avalanches in a few places even with little additional load and can also reach medium size when breaking through into the persistent weak layer. The danger areas are located in the north to east aspects behind ridgelines and terrain edges as well as in the entrance areas to steep gullies and bowls.
Snowpack
Sun and slight warming lead to a settlement of the snowpack. On the northern sides, a layer of snow covers surface hoar and older wind slab in the higher elevations. In the northern and eastern exposures, the snowpack is still weakened with faceted crystals and floating snow (persistent weak layer problem!).
Tendency
On Friday, the sun will shine at times, especially in the west of Upper Styria, while clouds will predominate in the eastern half of the country. No change in the avalanche risk is expected.
Danger level
1200m
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
1200m
Gliding snow
1200m
More heavy precipitation, rain turning to snow
Isolated wet snow avalanches will still be possible due to the thawing rain. The danger will be higher, especially on steep grassy slopes.
Snowpack
dp.4: cold following warm / warm following cold
The snowpack has become heavier as the weather warms up. The snowfall level was around 800 m above altitudes on Wednesday morning, but rose rapidly during the day. During the night of Thursday, the snowfall level will drop again to around 1000 m above altitudes. Up to 10 cm of more or less wet snow may fall.
Tendency
As the weather gradually cools, the danger of avalanches will decrease.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Persistent weak layer
1400m
Carefully assess wind slab with increasing height.
The avalanche risk is moderate above the tree line and low below it. The main problem is wind slab. In steep terrain adjacent to ridgelines as well as in gullies and bowls, slab avalanches can occasionally be triggered by even small additional loads. Slab avalanches can reach medium size.
Persistent weak layers can also be problematic above 1400 metres. In a few places, medium slab avalanches can be triggered in deeper layers by large additional loads. These avalanche prone locations are mainly found on shady slopes at the transition from little to much snow.
Snowpack
On a small scale, windslab snow lies partly on soft snow at high altitudes, otherwise on variously crusted can form snow surfaces. A weak layer of angular snow crystals has formed underneath these layers of harsh snow. In the middle layers, this layer slowly stabilises with mild temperatures and a lack of outgoing longwave radiation. The base of the snowpack often consists of gritty floating snow. There is little to no snow on the south side.
Tendency
Slight increase in avalanche danger with new fallen snow and wind.
Danger level
1400m
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
1400m
Gliding snow
1400m
More heavy precipitation, rain turning to snow
Isolated wet snow avalanches will still be possible due to the thawing rain. The danger will be higher, especially on steep slopes.
Snowpack
dp.4: cold following warm / warm following cold
The snowpack has become heavier as the weather warms up. The snowfall level was around 1200 m above altitudes on Wednesday morning, but rose rapidly during the day. The snowfall level is expected to drop back down to around 1200 m during the night of Thursday. A few centimetres of southern snow may fall.
Tendency
As the weather gradually cools, the danger of avalanches will decrease.
Danger level
1900m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
1900m
Prone to triggering wind slab on top of weak persistent weak layer locally
The avalanche risk is moderate above 1900 metres and low below. Small to medium-sized slab avalanches can be triggered by individual winter sports enthusiasts, especially in the western, northern and eastern sectors. This is most likely in the transition from little to more snow and in the fresh, prone-to-triggering snowdrift accumulations. Avalanche prone locations increase rapidly from the tree line, they are partly covered in snow and therefore difficult to recognise. Take particular care in the entrance areas to steep gullies and bowls as well as behind terrain edges.
Snowpack
Around 10 cm of new fallen snow accumulates on an otherwise very variable surface. During the course of the day, some smaller snowdrift accumulations prone to triggering will also form. In general, there are often areas with little snow next to snowdrift accumulations. In places, the older wind slab has been transformed to build up and is soft, in places hard as a board. 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
No change in avalanche danger.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Rising danger above the timberline due to fresh snow and snowdrifts
Fresh snow and small fresh snowdrifts are easily triggerable in steep ridgeline terrain and behind sharp drops in the terrain. One single winter sports enthusiast can trigger small-sized, in isolated cases medium-sized slab avalanches. Other danger zones occur on extremely steep, mostly shady slopes. In isolated cases, small avalanches can be triggered in the old snow in those places. Such avalanche prone locations occur particularly in transitions 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 10-20cm of fresh fallen snow often lies deposited atop loosely-packed fresh snow or drifts from recent days and a frequently melt-freeze encrusted old snowpack. In some places, the surface hoar has now been blanketed. Above all else, on steep shady slopes the often unfavorable intermediate layers inside the old snowpack have persisted. On south-facing slopes the fresh snow often fell on bare ground.
Tendency
No significant change anticipated
Danger level
Low avalanche danger, little new fallen snow.
The avalanche risk is low. A little soft new fallen snow and thin, localised pillows of wind drifted snow (in particular in the extended eastern exposures) cover stones and previously hard or icy surfaces.
surfaces. In general, the risk of injury and falling outweighs the risk of burial.
Snowpack
A few centimetres of soft new fallen snow (up to around 5 cm) as well as some thin wind slabs cover the previously bare ground or the hard, icy surface of old snow. If present, the thin snow base, fundament is weakened by persistent weak layers.
Tendency
No significant change in avalanche danger.
Danger level
Low avalanche danger, but watch out for older wind slabs in the north and east aspects!
The avalanche risk is low. Small slab avalanches can occur in a few places, especially on shady slopes due to fresh pillows of wind drifted snow. In extremely steep gullies in northern and eastern exposures, there is a poor connection to the old snowpack. The thin layer of fresh snow can also cover icy areas at higher altitudes. Beware of the danger of falling!
Snowpack
There is still significantly less snow than average. Small, older pillows of wind drifted snow lie on a thin, crusted can form old snowpack, especially in the north and east sectors in shady terrain. The connection between wind slab and persistent weak layer is still poor in places. In addition, angular shapes can weaken the snow base, fundament.
Tendency
Somewhat friendlier mountain weather, no significant change in avalanche danger.
Danger level
1400m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
1400m
Usually too little snow for ski tours.
The avalanche risk is low. Small avalanches can be triggered, especially with large additional loads. The few avalanche prone locations are found on very steep slopes in the northern and eastern aspects, especially when entering gullies and bowls. Particularly in the Allgäu and in the highest areas of the Berchtesgaden Alps also in the area of small-scale wind slab.
Snowpack
On the surface there are a few centimetres of dry, partly bonded snow on a melt-freeze crust. The old snowpack usually has an angular structure and is interspersed with more or less massive surface crusts. Crack propagation over larger areas is not to be expected. Overall, there is little snow.
Tendency
Slight increase in avalanche danger with new fallen snow and wind.
Danger level
2200m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2200m
Weak persistent weak layers and fresh wind slab can be disturbed.
The avalanche risk is low. In the extended northern and eastern exposures above around 2200 m, mostly small slab avalanches can still be triggered by individual winter sports enthusiasts. Danger areas are located at the transitions from little to more snow as well as in the entrance areas to steep gullies and bowls and behind terrain edges. Avalanche prone locations are sometimes thinly covered with snow and difficult to recognise. In general, the risk of entrapment, falling and injury usually outweighs the risk of burial, but be careful in the area of terrain traps.
Snowpack
Around 5 to 10 centimetres of new fallen snow accumulates overnight, covering previously bare areas (south-facing) or a hard surface of old snow. In addition, fresh snowdrift accumulations develop on a small scale during the day, in particular on the eastern slopes. In general, the thin snow surface is very
variable. On shady slopes in particular, the mostly small snowdrift accumulations overlay a weak old snowpack, with faceted crystals between crusts.
Tendency
No significant change in avalanche danger.
Danger level
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
Persistent weak layer problem in the northern sector!
The avalanche danger is assessed as low. The main issue is the persistent weak layer problem. New fallen snow (approx. 10cm) covers the avalanche prone locations. Poor visibility means that the avalanche danger can only be assessed to a limited extent. The few avalanche prone locations are in the northern sector. Snow slabs can be triggered here if there is a large additional load.
Snowpack
Some new fallen snow covers the partly hard old snowpack. On the north side, the old snowpack has also been transformed. The old snowpack is weakened by the kinetic metamorphism (angular shapes). Still little snow.
Tendency
No change in the avalanche danger is expected.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Low avalanche danger.
The avalanche risk is low. In extremely steep gullies and on shady slopes above the tree line, the triggering of small slab avalanches cannot be completely ruled out. Fresh pillows of wind drifted snow can be triggered as small avalanches behind ridges.
Snowpack
In the last 24 hours, fresh wind slab snow (approx. 10 to 15 cm) has been deposited on a crusted can form old snowpack. Angular shapes weaken the snow layering.
Tendency
The Adriatic low will bring about 10 cm of new fallen snow overnight. No significant change in the avalanche risk is expected.
Danger level
2000m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2000m
Only adjacent to ridgelines and at higher elevations is some fresh drift snow possible and local persistent weak layer problems!
Due to some new fallen snow and depending on the wind influence around the west, there may be some fresh wind slab, which can be prone to triggering in steep terrain. Avalanche prone locations are mainly adjacent to ridgelines and behind terrain edges. In the north-facing high altitudes, the local persistent weak layer problem must still be taken into account in steep terrain. Slab avalanches can be triggered here in particular by large additional loads.
Snowpack
Around 10 cm of new fallen snow is expected by Thursday lunchtime, which may also be transported a little, especially windward. In the shady and north-facing high altitudes, the old snowpack is weakened by layers that have been transformed by building up and some floating snow. The old snow surface is often hard to partly icy. In general, there is only a little snow, which is very unevenly distributed. Before the snowfall, there are many pale and completely blown-off areas.
