Danger level

1800m

Wind slab		1800m
Persistent weak layer		1800m
New snow		Treeline

The current snowpack pattern is uncommon and requires special attention and caution!

New fallen snow in the high alpine regions, weak layers persist.

In particular, even a small additional load can trigger a small avalanche on snowdrift accumulations. A triggered avalanche or an otherwise large Additional load may exceed the load-bearing capacity of the deep hard layers, triggering a deep and widespread (large) avalanche. Such weak layers are particularly abundant in the axis above the forest, but are not excluded elsewhere. Gliding avalanches also occur on steep smooth slopes.

Snowpack

dp.1: deep persistent weak layer
dp.4: cold following warm / warm following cold

Snow has melted on the highest peaks of the sunny slopes in recent days, while only the high alpine regions have remained dry. Up to 10 cm of new fallen snow has fallen since Tuesday afternoon, and up to 30 cm in the Southern Julian Alps. The snowfall level was around 1300 m most of the time, rising to 1700 m towards the end of the precipitation. The snowpack is thinned to around 1700 m due to the rain, and a Crust will form as it cools. The old snow cover is made up of layers of bonded snow that are already somewhat compacted and mostly well interconnected. The cohesion of the layers of blown snow in snowdrift accumulations built up by the southerly wind during the snowfall is weaker. In the old snow cover, there are several weak layers of shreds and sheared grains deep below the surface.

Tendency

The avalanche danger will remain similar until the end of the week. There will be a little more New fallen snow on Thursday and sunny skies on Friday.

Danger level

1800m

Wind slab		1800m
Persistent weak layer		1800m
New snow		Treeline

The current snowpack pattern is uncommon and requires special attention and caution!

New fallen snow in the high alpine regions, weak layers persist.

In particular, even a small additional load can trigger a small avalanche on snowdrift accumulations. A triggered avalanche or an otherwise large Additional load may exceed the load-bearing capacity of the deep hard layers, triggering a deep and widespread (large) avalanche. Such weak layers are particularly abundant in the axis above the forest, but are not excluded elsewhere. Gliding avalanches also occur on steep smooth slopes.

Snowpack

dp.1: deep persistent weak layer
dp.4: cold following warm / warm following cold

Snow has melted on the highest peaks of the sunny slopes in recent days, while only the high alpine regions have remained dry. Up to 10 cm of new fallen snow has fallen since Tuesday afternoon. The snowfall level was around 1300 m most of the time, rising to 1700 m towards the end of the precipitation. The surface of the snowpack has been thinned by the rain up to about 1700 m, and a Crust will form as it cools. The old snow cover is made up of layers of bonded snow that are already somewhat compacted and mostly well interconnected. The layers of blown snow in snowdrift accumulations built up by southerly winds during the snowfall are less well connected. In the old snow cover, there are several weak layers of shreds and faceted snow crystals deep below the surface.

Tendency

The avalanche danger will remain similar until the end of the week. There will be a little more New fallen snow on Thursday and sunny skies on Friday.

Danger level

treeline

Wind slab		Treeline
Persistent weak layer		2000m

Freshly generated snowdrifts atop unfavorable old snowpack

Freshly generated snowdrift accumulations are prone to triggering, occur in steep terrain near to and distant from ridglines, behind drops in the landscape, in gullies and bowls in all aspects. Danger zones rapidly increase in frequency and in size with altitude above the timberline. Marked weak layers in the old snow can be triggered by winter sports enthusiasts, particularly on steep, little-skied on slopes. Avalanche prone locations are impossible to see, require a defensive route selection. Avalanches superficially triggered can fracture down to deeper layers inside the snowpack and grow to medium size. Whumpf noises and fractures on the surface are alarm signals.

Snowpack

As a result of fresh snowfall, fresh snowdrift accumulations which are prone to triggering are being generated. Focal point of precipitation is in the western barrier cloud regions to the Arlberg region and Allgau Alps: 10-15cm of snowfall plus storm-strength winds. Fresh snow and drifts will be deposited on top of an often melt-freeze encrusted surface, and surface hoar. Particularly on steep shady high-altitude slopes, markedly weak layers occur inside the old snowpack.

Tendency

Snowdrifts deposited on the weak old snowpack remain prone to triggering

Danger level

2000m

Persistent weak layer		2000m
Wind slab		Treeline

Surface triggered wind slab snow can activate persistent weak layer problem

The avalanche risk increases rapidly with altitude from the tree line and is considerable above around 2000 metres. The situation remains precarious for winter sports. Medium-sized slab avalanches can easily be triggered by individuals in some places, especially from north-west to north to east. There is a high likelihood that surface-triggered avalanches will tear through to deeper layers. Danger areas are barely recognisable and require a defensive choice of route. Take particular care near transitions from little to much snow and in the entrance areas to steep gullies.

Snowpack

New and wind slab snow cover a very different surface: in exposed areas it is marked by the wind, otherwise it is partly encrusted and hard, but also partly still soft. On shady slopes protected from the wind above around 1500 m, surface hoar is also covered with snow in places. Fresh and older/hard wind slabs overlay soft layers of faceted crystals and deep rime. In general, zones with little snow and considerable areas of drift snow are often close together. Breaks occur either in soft layers near the surface or around the crust that forms the transition to the completely angular old snowpack. The total snow depth is well below average.

Tendency

Little change at first on Saturday, with new fallen snow and wind exacerbating the wind slab problem towards the evening.

Danger level

treeline

Wind slab		Treeline
Persistent weak layer		1800m

With new fallen snow and stormy westerly winds, prone to triggering snowdrift accumulations.

The avalanche risk is considerable above the tree line and low below it. Wind slab avalanches are problematic. Medium-sized slab avalanches can be triggered in many places even with a small additional load. Avalanche prone locations are located on steep slopes with aspects ranging from north-west to north to south-east, as well as in gullies and bowls. They increase in number and size with altitude. Occasionally, medium slab avalanches can also be triggered in persistent weak layers. This is particularly conceivable on very steep shady slopes above 1800 m with a high additional load, for example if a superficial avalanche breaks through into deep, weak layers.

Snowpack

Fresh and older wind slabs often lie on surface hoar or thin wind and melt-freeze crusts that are prone to triggering. Individual, poor snow cover test results indicate that it is still possible to trigger snow slabs in deeper, built-up layers at higher elevations. There is a lack of old snowpack up to high altitudes on the south side, and exposed terrain on the west side is often blown off. At lower elevations (below 1500 metres), the old snowpack is damp or wet.

Tendency

No significant change.

Danger level

1800m

Persistent weak layer		1800m
Wind slab		Treeline

Persistent weak layer problem in the high altitudes!

The avalanche risk is moderate at high altitudes. Medium slab avalanches can occasionally be triggered here in steep terrain even with a small additional load. Mainly in the high altitudes, attention should be paid to steep slopes in the northern sector, partly adjacent to ridgelines on the east side, transitions from little to more snow as well as steep gullies and bowls. Avalanche prone locations are difficult to recognise.

Snowpack

There are only a few centimetres of snow in places during the day. At higher elevations, the snowpack contains thin melt-freeze crusts and faceted crystals near the ground on the north and shady slopes, some of which are floating snow. The snowpack is still very unevenly distributed, with only a little snow even at higher altitudes.

Tendency

Due to new fallen snow in the night from Thursday to Friday and wind, there is fresh wind slab.

Danger level

1800m

Persistent weak layer		1800m
Wind slab		Treeline

Fresh wind slab snow overlays persistent weak layer problem

The avalanche risk is moderate above the tree line and low below. Especially in the sectors from north-west to north to south-east, slab avalanches can be triggered by individuals in some places. Avalanches can tear through the persistent weak layer and thus become medium sized. Some avalanche prone locations are difficult to recognise and require a defensive choice of route. Take particular care near transitions from little to more snow and in the snow-covered entrance areas to steep gullies.

Snowpack

New and windslab snow cover a very different surface: in exposed areas it is marked by the wind and is often crusty and hard. On shady slopes protected from the wind above around 1500 m, surface hoar is also covered in some cases. In the persistent weak layers below, bonded snow overlays soft, angular layers. Fractures occur either in the angular layer near the surface or around the crust that forms the transition to the completely built-up old snowpack. In general, areas with little snow alternate with sometimes considerable snowdrift accumulations in a confined space with overall snow depths that are well below average.

Tendency

Little change - combined persistent weak layer problem.

Danger level

treeline

Wind slab		Treeline
Persistent weak layer		1800m

With new fallen snow and stormy westerly winds, small, prone to triggering snowdrift accumulations develop.

The avalanche risk is moderate above the tree line and low below it. Wind slab avalanches are problematic. Small to medium slab avalanches can be triggered even with a small additional load. Avalanche prone locations are located on steep slopes with aspects ranging from north-west to north to south-east, as well as in gullies and bowls. They increase in number and size with altitude. Occasionally, medium slab avalanches can also be triggered in persistent weak layers. This is particularly conceivable on very steep shady slopes above 1800 m with a high additional load, for example if a superficial avalanche breaks through into deep, weak layers.

Snowpack

Some fresh and older wind slabs lie on surface hoar or thin wind and melt-freeze crusts that are prone to triggering. Individual, poor snow cover test results indicate that it is still possible to trigger snow slabs in deeper, built-up layers at higher elevations. There is a lack of old snowpack up to high altitudes on the south side, and exposed terrain on the west side is often blown off. At lower elevations (below 1500 metres), the old snowpack is damp or wet.

Tendency

No significant change.

Danger level

1800m

Persistent weak layer		1800m
Wind slab		Treeline

Beware fresh snowdrift accumulations

Freshly generated snowdrift accumulations are prone to triggering, occur in steep terrain near to and distant from ridglines, behind drops in the landscape, in gullies and bowls in all aspects. Danger zones rapidly increase in frequency and in size with altitude above the timberline. Marked weak layers in the old snow can be triggered by winter sports enthusiasts, particularly on steep, little-skied on slopes. Avalanche prone locations are impossible to see, require a defensive route selection. Avalanches superficially triggered can fracture down to deeper layers inside the snowpack and grow to medium size.

Snowpack

As a result of some snowfall and storm-strength westerly winds, trigger-sensitive snowdrift accumulations will be generated. The small amount of fresh snow and drifts will be deposited on top of a frequently melt-freeze encrusted snowpack surface, sometimes with surface hoar. Particularly on steep shady slopes, unfavorable base and intermediate layers often occur inside the old snowpack, where they persist.

Tendency

No significant change anticipated

Danger level

1900m

Persistent weak layer		1900m
Wind slab

Weak layers in persistent weak layers remain prone to triggering

The avalanche risk is still moderate above around 1900 metres and low below. There is still a persistent weak layer problem. The avalanche prone locations are limited but still difficult to recognise. These are mainly on north to east facing slopes above 1900 metres. Here, slab avalanches can still be triggered by individuals in some places. With the sometimes strong wind, fresh wind slabs are forming in the northern Alps, which can be triggered as slabs.

Snowpack

The surface hoar, angular shapes or a hard old snowpack will be covered by wind slab and new fallen snow on Friday. However, large amounts of new snow are not yet expected. In the northern and eastern exposures, the old snowpack will continue to be weakened by crusts and layers with faceted crystals and floating snow; the persistent weak layer problem remains.

Tendency

On Saturday, clouds will rapidly gather again from the south-west, with rain and snow in the afternoon. A cold front with strong winds and a drop in temperature will follow in the night to Sunday. The risk of avalanches is expected to increase at the weekend.

Danger level

1200m

Gliding snow		1200m
New snow		Treeline

Increased amount of new snow in the highest parts of the mid-mountains, snowdrift accumulations

Blowing snow, gliding avalanches.

In particular, even a small additional load can trigger a small avalanche on snowdrift accumulations. Gliding avalanches also occur on steep, smooth slopes.

Snowpack

Up to 30 cm of New fallen snow fell above 1200 m. New fallen snow fell on an almost level surface. The old snow cover is made up of layers of bonded snow that are already somewhat compacted. A depth hoar has formed at the interface between the snowpack and the ground.

Tendency

The avalanche danger will remain similar until the end of the week. Saturday will be cloudy with showers. Sunday will be sunny and windy.

Danger level

treeline

Wind slab

Treeline

Too little snow for ski tours off the secured pistes.

The avalanche risk is low. Occasionally, fresh wind slab snow is problematic above the tree line. Small snow slabs can be triggered in a few places in steep terrain in the north-west to north to east aspects. The risk of falling and injury is greater than the danger of burial.

Snowpack

At higher altitudes, small snowdrift accumulations lie in some places on surface hoar or thin wind and melt-freeze crusts that are prone to triggering. The old snowpack often consists of rounded, angular crystals. At lower altitudes (below 1500 metres), the snowpack is damp or wet.

Tendency

With falling temperatures and new fallen snow, the avalanche risk increases slightly at the weekend.

Danger level

treeline

Persistent weak layer		Treeline
Wind slab

Low avalanche danger, but persistent weak layer problems in the northern and eastern exposures!

The avalanche risk is low. In the northern and eastern exposures, there is still a persistent weak layer problem at altitudes above the tree line. In steep terrain, avalanches can be triggered in a few places. Fresh wind slabs can also be triggered as snow slabs. However, even if the old snowpack is torn through, the avalanches usually remain small.

Snowpack

There is still significantly less snow than average. Some new fallen snow is covering surface hoar or angular forms on the north side. The foundation is still weak.

Tendency

On Saturday, clouds will rapidly gather again from the south-west, with rain and snow in the afternoon. A cold front with strong winds and a drop in temperature will follow in the night to Sunday. The avalanche risk is expected to increase at the weekend!

Danger level

2000m

Persistent weak layer		2000m
Wind slab		Treeline

Few avalanche prone locations due to persistent weak layers of snow

The avalanche risk is low. There are small-scale avalanche prone locations due to prone to triggering, fresh wind slabs in the sectors from north to south-east and in steep gullies. Above around 2000 m, small slab avalanches can still be triggered in the persistent weak layer in a few places in the steep terrain looking from north-west to north to east. Danger areas are located at the transition from little to more snow and generally next to blown-off areas as well as in the entrance areas to gullies and bowls filled with wind slabs. The risk of falling and injury generally outweighs the risk of burial, pay attention in the area of terrain traps.

Snowpack

New and windslab snow cover a very varied surface: steep sunny slopes below around 1500 m were recently bare. Otherwise, the base is often crusted, sometimes hard, and still soft in wind-protected high altitudes. On wind-protected shady slopes above around 1500 m, surface hoar is sometimes covered with snow. Especially in northern and eastern aspects, bonded snow overlays a weak old snowpack of faceted crystals and deep frost.

Tendency

Little change during the day. However, the onset of snowfall on Saturday afternoon covers up the wind signs from the previous day.

Danger level

treeline

Wind slab		Treeline
Persistent weak layer		Treeline

Low avalanche danger, fresh wind slab in the high altitudes

The avalanche risk is low. Fresh, thin pillows of wind drifted snow lie in the aspects from north to east, particularly in terrain adjacent to ridgelines, in the entrance areas of steep gullies and bowls and behind terrain edges. Individual winter sports enthusiasts can trigger small slab avalanches here. In addition, there is still a persistent weak layer problem on shady slopes at high altitudes. Avalanches that are triggered in the wind slab can occasionally tear through the persistent weak layer, but remain small. In general, the risk of entrainment, falling and injury outweighs the risk of burial. Hardness or icy surfaces may currently be covered by little snow and therefore difficult to recognise.

Snowpack

There is still little snow. A few centimetres of new or wind slab snow is lying on a snow surface that is wet or crusted can form right up to the summit areas. In the higher elevations, however, angular snow crystals are still weakening the stability on shady slopes.

Tendency

No change in avalanche danger for the time being. On Saturday, clouds will predominate from the morning and the first light precipitation will set in from midday. The precipitation will only intensify towards the evening.

Danger level

1800m

Persistent weak layer		1800m
Wind slab		Treeline

Local persistent weak layer problem!

The avalanche danger remains low. Mostly small slab avalanches can be triggered in steep terrain in places by even a small additional load. Attention should be paid to steep slopes adjacent to ridgelines, transitions from little to more snow and steep gullies, mainly in the northern sector, partly on the east side.

Snowpack

There are only a few centimetres of snow in places during the day. At higher elevations, the snowpack contains thin melt-freeze crusts and faceted crystals near the ground on the north and shady slopes, some of which are floating snow. The snowpack is still very unevenly distributed, with only a little snow even at higher altitudes.

Tendency

Due to new fallen snow in the night from Thursday to Friday and wind, there is fresh wind slab.

Danger level

Persistent weak layer

Low avalanche danger.

The avalanche danger remains low. Small slab avalanches can be triggered in extremely steep gullies and bowls in isolated places at high altitudes.

Snowpack

There is still little snow. The snowpack is damp or crusted can form in places. In the higher elevations, however, angular snow crystals are still weakening the stability on shady slopes. Above this, in the extended eastern sector, there may also be a thin, bound layer, which in some cases is not well bonded to the old snowpack.

Tendency

On Saturday, clouds will rapidly gather again from the south-west, with rain and snow in the afternoon. A cold front with strong winds and a drop in temperature will follow in the night to Sunday. An increase in avalanche risk is possible.