The current snowpack pattern is uncommon and requires special attention and caution!
New fallen snow has not adhered well to the old snow base
Snow was heavier in the mountains with a strong southerly wind. The new fallen snow has put additional stress on the weak layers in the old snow cover. Places with blown snow and shady areas where there is a weak layer deep in the snowpack are more dangerous. In particular, at low loads, medium-sized avalanches of packed snow will be possible. A major Avalanche cannot be ruled out. Below 1700 m, gliding avalanches will be possible, especially on steep grassy slopes.
Snowpack
dp.1: deep persistent weak layer
It snowed on Wednesday and Thursday, with moderate to strong southerly winds at first, which built up in large areas. In total, 20 to 50 cm of snow fell. In the central mountains, snow fell first quite wet and then increasingly dry. Deep and persistent weak layers are present in the old snow cover. The snowpack is unstable in many places.
Tendency
It will clear in the high alpine regions, while clouds will remain at lower altitudes. It will be cooler. The danger of avalanches will remain similar.
Danger level
2000m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
2000m
Wind slab
2000m
Persistent weak layer
2000m
Caution: fresh drifts blanket weak old snow layers.
With ascending altitude, fresh and older snowdrift accumulations are prone to triggering. One single winter sports enthusiast can trigger slab avalanches. Danger zones occur in steep ridgeline terrain, in wind-loaded gullies and bowls, and behind drops in the terrain. Triggered releases can sweep away more deeply embedded layers inside the snowpack and grow to medium size. Such danger zones are not visible, particularly on steep shady slopes. Activities in backcountry demand careful evaluation of the terrain and the avalanche dangers, as well as restraint. On sunny slopes, small loosely-packed slides can trigger naturally during the course of the day.
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
Avalanche danger will recede only gradually.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
Treeline
Wind slab
Treeline
The current snowpack pattern is uncommon and requires special attention and caution!
New fallen snow has not adhered well to the old snow base
Snow was heavier in the mountains with a strong southerly wind. New fallen snow put additional stress on the weak layers in the old snow cover. Places with blown snow and shady areas where there is a weak layer deep in the snowpack are more dangerous. In particular, at low loads, medium-sized avalanches of packed snow will be possible. A major Avalanche cannot be ruled out.
Snowpack
dp.1: deep persistent weak layer
It snowed on Wednesday and Thursday, with moderate to strong southerly winds at first, which built up in large areas. In total, 10 to 30 cm of snow fell. In the central mountains, snow fell first quite wet and then increasingly dry. Deep and persistent weak layers are present in the old snow cover. The snowpack is unstable in many places.
Tendency
It will clear in the high alpine regions, while clouds will remain at lower altitudes. It will be cooler. The danger of Avalanches will remain similar.
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 in the terrain and should be avoided!
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. Transitions from little to more snow should be consistently avoided. Caution should also be exercised in the snow-covered entrance areas to steep gullies and bowls as well as behind terrain edges, where prone-to-triggering snow packs are located. Some of these are covered in snow and therefore difficult to recognise! Avalanches that are triggered close to the surface can tear through to deeper weak layers. Whumpfing collapsing sounds when stepping on the snowpack can indicate danger.
On sunny slopes, small loose snow slides can detach spontaneously during daytime changes.
Snowpack
There is fresh, prone-to-triggering wind slab snow on a locally very varied snow surface, which is covered by 10 - 20 centimetres of quite soft new fallen snow and is difficult to recognise. In general, there are often areas with little snow next to considerable snowdrift accumulations. The older snowdrift accumulations and the old snow surface are in places transformed and 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, but can also take deeper layers with it. The total snow depth is well below average.
On the sunny slopes, the new fallen snow can lose its binding on the surface during the daytime changes.
Tendency
Hardly any decrease in avalanche danger, the weak layers in the snowpack remain prone to triggering.
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 some places, small slab avalanches can be triggered by even a small additional load in steep terrain adjacent to ridgelines in all aspects as well as in gullies and bowls. The number of avalanche prone locations increases with altitude.
Persistent weak layers can also be problematic above 1400 metres. In a few places, small to medium slab avalanches can be triggered by large additional loads in deeper layers. These avalanche prone locations are mainly found on shady slopes. Caution is advised here in transition areas 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
2000m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2000m
Wind slab
2000m
Prone to triggering wind slab and the weak old snowpack are difficult to recognise in the terrain.
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 reach medium size if they tear through the old snowpack. Some of the avalanche prone locations are covered in snow and therefore difficult to recognise. Take particular care in the west, north and east aspects, especially in the snow-covered entrance areas to steep gullies and bowls, behind terrain edges and at the transition from little to more snow. 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 very varied old snow surface, there are local piles of fresh pillows of wind drifted snow, some of which are prone to triggering. Some of these are covered by soft new fallen snow. In general, there are often areas with little snow next to considerable snowdrift accumulations. Older snowdrift accumulations and the old snow surface are in places transformed and 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
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
Prone to triggering pillows of wind drifted snow lie on weak persistent layers!
The avalanche risk is still rated as moderate above 1,800 metres and low below that. Above the tree line, snowdrift accumulations can be triggered in a few places by individual winter sports enthusiasts. Especially in the northern and eastern sectors, avalanches can reach medium size when breaking through the weak old snowpack. The danger areas are mainly located in the transition from little to much snow as well as behind terrain edges and in the entrance area of gullies and bowls. Some of the danger spots are covered in snow and difficult to recognise.
Snowpack
On a very varied old snow surface, there are local piles of fresh pillows of wind drifted snow, some of which are prone to triggering. These are partly covered by soft new fallen snow. In the northern and eastern exposures, the snowpack is still weakened with faceted crystals and floating snow (persistent weak layer problem!). The overall snow depth is well below average.
Tendency
No change in the avalanche danger is expected.
There will be little change in the weather on Saturday. It will be mostly sunny from the morning with only weak to moderate winds. In the peripheral mountains it will remain foggy and cloudy in the afternoon.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Caution: snowdrift accumulations prone to triggering
Small fresh and older snowdrifts in steep ridgeline terrain and behind drops in the landscape are prone to triggering. One single winter sports enthusiast can trigger small, in isolated cases medium-sized slab avalanches. Other danger zones occur on extremely steep, mostly shady slopes. In isolated cases there, small avalanches can be triggered in the old snow. These avalanche prone locations occur most often 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 dangers of being swept along and forced to take a fall also require caution. On sunny slopes, small-sized loosely-packed snowslides can trigger naturally during the course of the day.
Snowpack
Up to 15cm of fresh snow often lies deposited atop loosely-packed fresh snow or drifts from recent days and a frequently melt-freeze encrusted old snowpack surface. In some places, surface hoar has been blanketed. Particularly on shady steep slopes, unfavorable intermediate layers have often persisted. On south-facing slopes and at lower altitudes, the fresh snowfall often was deposited on bare ground.
Tendency
Avalanche danger will recede only gradually.
Danger level
Low avalanche danger, but watch out for older wind slabs in the north and east aspects!
The avalanche risk is low. In a few places, pillows of wind drifted snow can be triggered as small slab avalanches, especially in extremely steep and shady gullies and bowls. Avalanche prone locations as well as icy areas are often covered by some new fallen snow. Beware of persistent 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
Often friendly mountain weather, no significant change in avalanche danger.
Danger level
Low avalanche danger, little new fallen snow.
The avalanche risk is low. Thin pillows of wind drifted snow are occasionally lying behind the edges of the terrain. Take care in the entrance areas to steep gullies where the formerly hard or icy old snow surface has now been covered. In general, the risk of entrapment, falling and injury outweighs the risk of burial.
Snowpack
A few centimetres of new fallen snow (up to around 5 cm) and some thin wind slab cover previously bare ground, stones or the hard, icy surface of old snow. If present, the thin snow base, fundament is weakened by persistent weak layers.
Tendency
No change in avalanche danger.
Danger level
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
Persistent weak layer problem in the north and east sectors! Avalanche prone locations are difficult to recognise!
The avalanche risk is low. There is still a persistent weak layer problem in the northern and eastern exposures. Slab avalanches can be triggered in a few places by individual winter sports enthusiasts. The avalanche prone locations are covered by some new fallen snow or thin pillows of wind drifted snow and are therefore difficult to recognise. Danger areas are located at the transitions from a little to a lot of snow as well as in the entrance areas to steep gullies and bowls. Take care in the area of terrain traps.
Snowpack
Some new fallen snow and thin pillows of wind drifted snow, especially in the eastern sector, cover the mostly hard old snowpack. This is partly transformed on shady slopes, with faceted crystals between crusts. There is still only a little snow.
Tendency
No change in the avalanche danger is expected.
There will be little change in the weather on Saturday. It will be mostly sunny from the morning with only weak to moderate winds. In the peripheral mountains it will remain foggy and cloudy in the afternoon.
Danger level
Low avalanche danger with mostly little snow.
The avalanche risk is low. In extremely steep gullies or bowls on shady slopes above the tree line, the triggering of small slab avalanches between pillows of wind drifted snow, some of which are prone to triggering, and the persistent weak layer cannot be completely ruled out.
Snowpack
In the middle and higher elevations, new fallen snow has been deposited on an old snowpack that varies greatly from region to region. Angular shapes weaken the snow layering in shady gullies and bowls. In some places, grassy slopes were covered with snow again.
Tendency
No change in the avalanche danger is expected.
There will be little change in the weather on Saturday. In the morning, high fog will persist south of a line from Hochschwab to Zirbitzkogel, reaching up to 1500 metres. Otherwise it will be sunny from early in the morning with only weak to moderate winds. In the peripheral mountains it will remain foggy and cloudy in the afternoon.
Danger level
1400m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
1400m
Usually too little snow for ski tours.
The avalanche risk is low. Small slab avalanches can be triggered, especially with large additional loads. The few avalanche prone locations are on very steep slopes in the northern and eastern aspects. The risk of falling and injury is usually greater than the danger of burial.
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
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
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
There was up to 10 cm of new fallen snow with little wind influence. Only in very exposed areas could there be some fresh wind slab. The old snowpack still contains unbound faceted crystals and partly floating snow. The new fallen snow lies on an often hard to partly icy old snow surface. In general, there is only a little snow, which is very unevenly distributed. Before the snowfall, there were many pale and completely blown-off areas.
Tendency
No significant change.
Danger level
2200m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2200m
Weak persistent weak layers and fresh pillows of wind drifted snow are the main dangers.
The avalanche risk is low. In the extended northern and eastern exposures above around 2200 m, small slab avalanches can still be triggered by individual winter sports enthusiasts at a few avalanche prone locations. Danger areas are located at the transitions from little to more snow as well as in the blown-in entrance areas to steep gullies and bowls and behind terrain edges. Some of the avalanche prone locations are 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
A few centimetres of new and wind-slab snow cover previously empty areas (south-facing) or a hard, sometimes icy surface of old snow. On shady slopes in particular, the mostly small snowdrift accumulations overlay a weak layer of old snowpack, with layers of faceted crystals around crusts.
