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
In recent days, the snow on the sunny slopes has crusted up to the highest peaks, forming a crust as it cooled. Snow remained dry only in the high alpine regions. 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 surface of the snowpack has been thinned by the rain up to about 1700 m, and as it has cooled, a Crust has formed, which in some places can support the weight of a skier, but not in others.
The old snow cover is made up of layers of bonded snow that are already somewhat compacted. The layers of blown snow in snowdrift accumulations built up by the southerly wind during the snowfall are less well connected. In the old snow cover, there are several weak layers of shreds and sheared grains deep below the surface.
Tendency
The danger of avalanches will increase slightly with new precipitation and with increased winds after the end of the rainfall. NE winds will blow overnight Sunday, clearing from the NW in the morning. Sunday will be sunny and cooler, with the Zero-degree level below 1000 m, around -6 at 1500 m and around -10 °C at 2000 m.
Danger level
1800m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
1800m
Persistent weak layer
2000m
Freshly generated snowdrifts atop unfavorable old snowpack
Snowdrift accumulations are prone to triggering, can easily be triggered even by one single person, especially on shady slopes. Avalanche danger rapidly increases with ascending altitude above the treeline, above 1800m the danger is considerable. Avalanche prone locations occur in steep terrain near to and distant from ridgelines, behind drops in the terrain, in wind-loaded gullies and bowls. Marked weak layers in the old snow can be unleashed by winter sports enthusiasts particularly on steep, little skied-on slopes. Danger zones are not visible. A defensive route selection is imperative. Superficially triggered avalanches can fracture down to deeper layers inside the snowpack and grow to medium size. Whumpf noises and fractures appearing on the snowpack surface are alarm signals.
Snowpack
As a result of fresh snow and storm-strength winds yesterday, trigger-sensitive snowdrift accumulations were generated. The surface in wind-exposed terrain shows marked effects of wind: ridges and crests are windblown, bare of snow, gullies and bowls are often filled to the brim with drifts. In the classic foehn-exposed zones, more snowdrifts were generated today. Fresh snow and drifts often lie deposited on top of a melt-freeze encrusted snowpack or atop surface hoar. Particularly on high-altitude shady slopes the snowpack frequently has strikingly weak layers. Numerous small-to-medium sized releases by winter sports enthusiasts confirmed today how prone to triggering the snowpack is.
Tendency
Snowdrifts deposited on the weak old snowpack remain prone to triggering
Danger level
1800m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
1800m
Persistent weak layer
1800m
New snow
Treeline
Wet snow
1600m
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
2000m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2000m
Wind slab
2000m
Weak old snowpack is overlaid by wind slabs
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. Particularly from north-west to north to east, medium-sized slab avalanches can easily be triggered by individuals in some places. Avalanches can be triggered in persistent weak layers and there is a high likelihood that avalanches triggered on the surface will tear through to deeper layers in the wind slab. Danger areas are barely recognisable and require a defensive choice of route. In particular, be careful near transitions from little to much snow and in the entrance areas to steep gullies. Remote triggering is possible.
Snowpack
New and wind slab snow cover a very different surface: in exposed areas it is marked by the wind, often crusted and hard, only in high, on shady slopes it is still soft. Fresh and older/hard wind slabs overlay soft layers of faceted crystals and deep rime. In wind-protected areas, on shady slopes above about 2000 m, on sunny slopes above 2400 m, surface hoar is also partly covered with snow. Breaks occur either in soft layers near the surface or around the crust that forms the transition to the completely angular old snowpack. In general, areas with little snow alternate with sometimes considerable snowdrift accumulations in a confined space, with overall snow depths well below average. High temperatures and rainfall have moistened the snowpack up to around 2000 metres.
Tendency
The risk of avalanches increases with new fallen snow and wind.
Danger level
1800m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
1800m
Wind slab
Treeline
Beware fresh snowdrift accumulations, they can easily be triggered
Snowdrift accumulations are prone to triggering, can easily be triggered even by one single person, especially on shady slopes. Avalanche danger rapidly increases with ascending altitude above the treeline, above 1800m the danger is considerable. Avalanche prone locations occur in steep terrain near to and distant from ridgelines, behind drops in the terrain, in wind-loaded gullies and bowls. Marked weak layers in the old snow can be unleashed by winter sports enthusiasts particularly on steep, little skied-on slopes. Danger zones are not visible. A defensive route selection is imperative. Superficially triggered avalanches can fracture down to deeper layers inside the snowpack and grow to medium size.
Snowpack
As a result of fresh snow and storm-strength winds yesterday, trigger-sensitive snowdrift accumulations were generated. The surface in wind-exposed terrain shows marked effects of wind: ridges and crests are windblown, bare of snow, gullies and bowls are often filled to the brim with drifts. In the classic foehn-exposed zones, more snowdrifts were generated today. Fresh snow and drifts often lie deposited on top of a melt-freeze encrusted snowpack or atop surface hoar. Particularly on high-altitude shady slopes the snowpack frequently has strikingly weak layers. Numerous small-to-medium sized releases by winter sports enthusiasts confirmed today how prone to triggering the snowpack is.
Tendency
No significant change anticipated
Danger level
1900m
Avalanche Problem
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. North and east-facing slopes will be blown in again with the south-westerly wind. The avalanche prone locations are mainly on north to east facing slopes above 1900 metres. Slab avalanches can still be triggered by individuals in some places. The slab can tear through to the layer close to the ground.
Snowpack
The snow cover tests carried out today (Friday) have shown that snow slabs can still be triggered on the north and east-facing slopes. The persistent weak layer problem is still present. Surface hoar, angular shapes or a hard old snowpack were covered. In the northern and eastern exposures, the old snowpack continues to be weakened by crusts and layers with faceted crystals and floating snow.
Tendency
Temperatures will plummet in the night to Sunday with a stormy north-westerly wind. There will be frequent snow showers in Upper Styria, most of them in the Northern Alps.
On Sunday, an increase in avalanche danger is expected in the northern Alps and in the Niedere Tauern.
Danger level
1800m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
1800m
Wind slab
Treeline
Persistent weak layer problem in the high altitudes!
The avalanche risk is low, moderate at higher altitudes. In some areas, there are mostly small-scale avalanches in the eastern sector and on the south side, which can be triggered as small slab avalanches in filled steep slopes as well as in steep bowls and gullies even with low additional loads. It is difficult to recognise individual avalanche prone locations due to the persistent weak layer problem in northern to eastern steep slopes. Here, snow slabs can also be triggered by individuals.
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
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
1800m
Wind slab
2000m
Fresh wind slab snow overlays persistent weak layer problem
The avalanche risk is moderate above 1800 metres 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 that are triggered in persistent weak layers in deep weak layers or tear through these weak layers can reach medium size. Some avalanche prone locations are difficult to recognise and require a defensive route choice. In particular, be careful near transitions from little to more snow and in the snow-covered 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, it is often encrusted and hard, only in high locations on shady slopes is it still soft. Within the snowpack, bonded snow overlays soft, angular layers. In wind-protected areas, on shady slopes above about 2000 m, on sunny slopes above 2400 m, surface hoar is also partly covered by snow. Breaks occur either in soft layers near the surface or around the crust that forms the transition to the completely built-up old snow foundation. In general, areas with little snow alternate in a confined space with sometimes considerable snowdrift accumulations and overall snow depths that are well below average.
High temperatures and rainfall have moistened the snowpack up to around 2000 metres.
Tendency
The risk of avalanches increases with new fallen snow and wind.
Danger level
2000m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
2000m
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
treeline
Avalanche Problem
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
The wind over the last few days has moved the snow over a large area and the wind slab has deposited in areas protected from the wind. In places, it lies on graupel, surface hoar or thin wind and melt-freeze crusts that are prone to triggering. In addition, weak intermediate layers are embedded in the wind slab, which have formed during breaks in precipitation. Individual, poor snow cover test results indicate that deeper layers consisting of faceted crystals above around 1800 m are still prone to triggering. 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 altitudes (below 1500 m), the old snowpack is damp or wet.
Tendency
No significant change.
Danger level
1200m
Avalanche Problem
Gliding snow
1200m
Wet snow
1600m
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 danger of avalanches will remain similar.
Danger level
1800m
Avalanche Problem
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
treeline
Avalanche Problem
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 aspects from north-east to south-east, particularly 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. There is a persistent weak layer problem on shady slopes at high altitudes - avalanches can occasionally tear through the old snow, but remain small. The risk of being swept away, falling and injury outweighs the risk of burial. Hardness or icy surfaces can be covered by little snow and be difficult to recognise.
Snowpack
There is still little snow. A few centimetres of new fallen snow have fallen above around 1500 metres. While around 10 cm of snow has accumulated in the Ybbstal Alps, hardly any new fallen snow has fallen from Schneeberg to Rax. The new fallen snow was transported by strong winds in exposed areas and deposited as thin pillows of wind drifted snow on a wet or crusted can form snow surface up to the summit areas. In the higher elevations, angular snow crystals are still weakening the stability on shady slopes.
Tendency
The avalanche risk remains unchanged for the time being. During the night to Sunday, temperatures will drop and there will be some snow showers, which will mainly affect the Ybbstal and Türnitz Alps. There will also be some new fallen snow in the Gutenstein Alps and hardly any snow in the Rax-Schneeberg area. On Sunday it will be stormy in exposed areas, the snow showers will subside during the day. It will be much colder.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
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
Temperatures will plummet in the night to Sunday with a stormy north-westerly wind. There will be frequent snow showers in Upper Styria, most of them in the Northern Alps. An increase in avalanche risk is to be expected in the Northern Alps at the weekend!
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Too little snow for ski tours off the secured pistes.
The avalanche risk is low. Fresh wind slabs can be problematic. Small snow slabs can be triggered in a few places in the steep terrain adjacent to ridgelines in the north-west to north to east aspects by a small additional load. The risk of falling and injury is greater than the danger of burial.
Snowpack
At higher altitudes (above 1500 m), small snowdrift accumulations lie in some places on soft layers that are prone to triggering. The old snowpack consists of several layers of harsh snow and rounding face crystals, whereby the layering increasingly dissolves at lower altitudes (below 1500 m) where it has become damp.
Tendency
With falling temperatures and new fallen snow, the avalanche risk increases slightly at the weekend.
Danger level
2000m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2000m
Few avalanche prone locations due to persistent weak layers of snow
The avalanche risk is low. 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 slab. There are small-scale avalanche prone locations due to prone to triggering, fresh wind slab in the sectors from north to south-east. The risk of falling and injury generally outweighs the risk of burial, be careful 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 2000 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.
High temperatures and rainfall have moistened the snowpack up to around 2000 metres.
Tendency
The risk of avalanches increases with new fallen snow and wind.
Danger level
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
Low avalanche danger.
The avalanche risk is 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, angular snow crystals continue to weaken the stability on shady slopes.
Tendency
Temperatures will plummet in the night to Sunday with a stormy north-westerly wind. There will be frequent snow showers in Upper Styria, most of them in the northern Alps. The Koralpe will not get any significant new fallen snow. No significant change in the avalanche danger is expected.
