Danger level

1800m

Persistent weak layer		1800m
Wind slab		Treeline

Fresh, prone to triggering wind slab and weak persistent weak layer

The avalanche risk is considerable above 1800 metres and low below. The situation remains precarious for winter sports. Medium-sized slab avalanches can easily be triggered by individuals in some places, especially on north-west to north to south-east facing slopes. This applies to both drift and persistent weak layers. Danger areas are sometimes barely recognisable and require a defensive choice of route. Take particular care near transitions from a little to a lot of snow, behind terrain edges and in the entrance areas to steep gullies and bowls. It is highly likely that avalanches triggered on the surface will tear through to deeper layers. Remote triggering is possible.

Snowpack

During the night to Sunday, 10 to 15 cm of new fallen snow fell on a small-scale surface. Fresh and older wind slab snow overlaid with 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 has also been snowed in in places. Fractures 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 that are well below average.

Tendency

The wind picks up and fresh snowdrift accumulations continue to form. The persistent weak layer problem remains.

Danger level

1800m

Wind slab		1800m
Persistent weak layer		1800m

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 the last 24 hours, several centimetres of New fallen snow have fallen above an altitude of around 1400 metres. Above 1700 m, snow fell on the hard surface of the old snowpack, while lower down it fell on breakable crust or soft ground. The old snow cover is made up of layers of bonded snow that are already somewhat compacted. The cohesion of the layers of blown snow in snowdrift accumulations built up by southerly winds 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

On Monday night it will become cloudy again, with a westerly breeze. Showers are possible during the day. The danger of avalanches will remain similar.

Danger level

treeline

Wind slab		Treeline
Persistent weak layer		Treeline

New fallen snow and wind slabs increase the avalanche danger!

The avalanche danger increases rapidly with altitude and is rated as considerable above approx. 1800 metres. The avalanche situation remains very delicate for alpinists. The persistent weak layer problem is still present and difficult to assess. In addition, fresh wind slab leads to an increase in avalanche danger. The avalanche prone locations are from north-west to east in terrain adjacent to ridgelines and at the entrances to gullies and bowls. Medium-sized slab avalanches can be triggered by individuals. It is very likely that avalanches will tear through to deeper layers.

Snowpack

Fresh wind slab overlays soft layers of faceted crystals and surface hoar. The persistent weak layer is weakened by the kinetic metamorphism. The wind slab falls cold and is brittle.

Tendency

Strong to stormy westerly winds will blow across the northern side of the Alps on Monday night as a warm front passes through. A few centimetres of new fallen snow may fall in the northern Limestone Alps. In the evening and during the night to Tuesday, a north-westerly weather pattern will set in, which will lead to renewed snowfall in the northern foothills. The considerable risk of avalanches remains.

Danger level

treeline

Wind slab		Treeline
Persistent weak layer		1800m

It is essential to pay attention to fresh loads prone to triggering and the persistent weak layer problem!

The avalanche risk is considerable in some areas above the tree line. In some areas in the eastern sector and on the south side, there are more extensive avalanches that can be triggered as medium slab avalanches in filled steep slopes and in steep bowls and gullies even with a small additional load. Hard-to-recognise individual avalanche prone locations due to the persistent weak layer problem are to be observed in northern to eastern steep slopes. Here, snow slabs can also be triggered by individuals. This applies to both drift and persistent weak layers.

Snowpack

Around 20 cm of new fallen snow may fall overnight. Strong winds from the northwest will form fresh, prone-to-triggering drifts that will bond poorly with the old snowpack. At higher elevations, the old snowpack remains largely unchanged with 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, even at higher altitudes there is only a little snow, often the new fallen snow falls on apery ground.

Tendency

No significant change. Pay attention to wind slabs

Danger level

1800m

Wind slab		1800m
Persistent weak layer		2000m

Freshly generated snowdrifts atop unfavorable old snowpack

Medium-sized slab avalanches can easily be triggered by one single person in the drifts and in the old snow. Also remote triggerings cannot be ruled out. Avalanche danger increases with ascending altitude starting at the treeline, above 1800m danger is considerable. Danger zones occur in wind-loaded steep terrain, behind drops in the landscape and in gullies and bowls. Avalanche prone locations are not visible to the naked eye and make a defensive route selection imperative. Marked weak layers in the old snow occur particularly on steep, little skied-on slopes and are easy to trigger. Also superficially triggered avalanches can fracture down to deeper layers of the snowpack and then grow to larger size. Whumpf noises and fractures on the surface are alarm signals.

Snowpack

Tonight, 5-10cm of snowfall is anticipated, in the Rätikon up to 20cm of fresh snow. The often trigger-sensitive snowdrift accumulations from recent days will be blanketed, making them difficult to see. As a result of northerly winds, fresh, trigger-sensitive snowdrift accumulations will be generated at high altitudes. Particularly on steep shady high-altitude slopes, the fresh snow and drifts will cover a weak old snowpack. Over the last few days, graupel, in wind-protected zones also surface hoar or trigger-sensitive, thin melt-freeze crusts have been blanketed by fresh snow. Snow profiles, successful artificial triggerings with explosives and observations in outlying terrain confirm just how weak the snowpack structuring is.

Tendency

As a result of heavy snowfall and storm-strength winds, avalanche danger will increase significantly on Monday

Danger level

treeline

Wind slab		Treeline
Persistent weak layer		1800m

Beware of prone to triggering wind slab.

The avalanche risk is considerable above the tree line and low below it. The main problem is wind slab avalanches. Slab avalanches can easily be triggered by individual winter sports enthusiasts. Avalanche prone locations are particularly adjacent to ridgelines on steep slopes with aspects ranging from north-west to north to south, as well as in gullies and bowls. They increase in number and size with altitude. Avalanches reach medium size. Above 1800 m, avalanches on very steep shady slopes can also tear through to deeper weak layers in the old snowpack.

Snowpack

Fresh and older wind slab snow often lies on graupel, surface hoar or thin wind and melt-freeze crusts that are prone to triggering. The connection to the old snowpack deteriorates with altitude. In addition, weak intermediate layers are embedded within the wind slab that have formed during breaks in precipitation. Some of the wind slab is soft and difficult to recognise. Above 1800 metres, there are still some deeper weak layers of faceted crystals in the snowpack. On the south side, there is no old snowpack up to high altitudes. At lower elevations, the old snowpack is damp or wet.

Tendency

With storms and new fallen snow at the beginning of the week, the avalanche situation remains tense.

Danger level

1800m

Persistent weak layer		1800m
Wind slab		Treeline

Fresh, prone to triggering wind slab and weak persistent weak layer at altitude

The avalanche risk is moderate above 1800 metres and low below. Medium-sized slab avalanches can be triggered by individuals in some places, especially on north-west to north to south-east facing slopes. This applies to both drift and persistent weak layers. Surface-triggered avalanches can tear through to deeper layers. Danger areas increase with altitude, some of them are barely recognisable and require a defensive choice of route. Take particular care near transitions from little to much snow, behind terrain edges and in the entrance areas to steep gullies and bowls. Cracks when stepping on the snowpack indicate danger.

Snowpack

During the night to Sunday, 10 to 15 cm of new fallen snow fell on a small-scale surface. Fresh and older, over-snowed wind slabs overlay soft layers of faceted crystals and deep frost. In wind-protected, shady areas above around 2000 m, surface hoar has also been snowed in to some extent. Fractures 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 that are well below average.

Tendency

The wind picks up and fresh snowdrift accumulations continue to form. The persistent weak layer problem remains.

Danger level

1900m

Persistent weak layer		1900m
Wind slab

Fresh wind slab!

The avalanche risk is still moderate above around 1900 metres and low below. There is still a persistent weak layer problem. In addition, fresh wind slab is to be expected! The avalanche prone locations are limited but still difficult to recognise. The avalanche prone locations are mainly on north to east facing slopes above 1900 metres. Older wind slab snow is in the northern sector, fresh wind slab snow in the eastern sector. Slab avalanches can be triggered by individuals in a few places here. The slab can tear through to the layer close to the ground.

Snowpack

The persistent weak layer problem still exists. Surface hoar, angular forms or a hard old snowpack have been 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

Strong to stormy westerly winds will blow across the northern side of the Alps on Monday night as a warm front passes through. A few centimetres of new fallen snow may fall in the northern Limestone Alps. Monday will be mostly free of precipitation during the day and the clouds will soften on the southern side of the Alps. In the evening and during the night on Tuesday, a north-westerly weather pattern will set in, resulting in renewed snowfall in the northern foothills. No significant change in the avalanche risk is expected.

Danger level

1200m

Gliding snow

1200m

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

The old snow cover is made up of layers of bonded snow that are already somewhat compacted and mostly well connected. A depth hoar has formed at the interface between the snowpack and the ground.

Tendency

On Monday night it will become cloudy again, with a westerly breeze. Showers are possible during the day. The danger of avalanches will remain similar.

Danger level

treeline

Wind slab		Treeline
Persistent weak layer		Treeline

Pay attention to fresh, prone to triggering wind slab.

Above the tree line there is moderate avalanche danger (level 2). Below the tree line, the danger is usually low (level 1). With the new fallen snow and increasingly strong winds, fresh snowdrift accumulations are forming. These are mainly in the north, east and south aspects and can be triggered by individual winter sports enthusiasts as small slab avalanches. There is still a persistent weak layer problem on shady slopes at high altitudes. Avalanches can occasionally tear through the persistent weak layer, but usually remain small. The risk of falling and injury generally outweighs the risk of burial, be careful in the area of terrain traps.

Snowpack

Around 10 cm, sometimes up to 20 cm in accumulations, of new fallen snow falls under the influence of strong winds. This causes drift snow packs to form, which are deposited on decomposed snow or older drift snow packs. Underneath is a partly unfavourable old snowpack with several crusts and embedded faceted crystals. There are weak layers between the fresh drift snow and decomposed snow as well as within the old snowpack.

Tendency

The avalanche danger remains the same. In the night to Monday, strong to stormy westerly winds will develop with the passage of a warm front. On Monday, it will snow intermittently in the morning and the clouds will soften at times in the afternoon. In the evening and on Tuesday night, a north-westerly weather pattern sets in, leading to more snowfall.

Danger level

treeline

Wind slab		Treeline
Persistent weak layer		1800m

Prone to triggering and the persistent weak layer problem must be taken into account!

The avalanche risk is moderate above the tree line. In some areas in the eastern sector and on the south side, there are more extensive avalanches that can be triggered as small to medium slab avalanches in filled steep slopes as well as in steep bowls and gullies even with a small additional load. Hard-to-recognise individual avalanche prone locations due to the persistent weak layer problem are to be observed in northern to eastern steep slopes. Here, snow slabs can also be triggered by individual people and tear through to the layer close to the ground.

Snowpack

Around 20 cm of new fallen snow may fall overnight. Strong winds from the northwest will form fresh, prone-to-triggering drifts that will bond poorly with the old snowpack. At higher elevations, the old snowpack remains largely unchanged with 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, even at higher altitudes there is only a little snow, often the new fallen snow falls on apery ground.

Tendency

No significant change. Pay attention to wind slabs

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 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 in wind slabs usually remain small. Avalanches that are triggered in persistent weak layers in deep weak layers or tear through these weak layers can reach medium size. Be careful in particular near transitions from little to more snow and in the blown-in entrance areas to steep gullies. Avalanche prone locations are sometimes difficult to recognise and require a defensive route choice. In areas bordering on the "considerable" avalanche prone location, avalanches are more frequent and can become larger.

Snowpack

During the night to Sunday, up to 10 cm of new fallen snow fell on a surface that varied on a small scale. Within the snowpack, bonded snow overlaid soft, angular layers. In wind-protected, shady areas above around 2000 metres, surface hoar has also been snowed in in places. Fractures 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 with sometimes considerable snowdrift accumulations in a confined space, with overall snow depths well below average.

Tendency

Fresh snowdrift accumulations continue to develop, the persistent weak layer problem remains.

Danger level

1800m

Persistent weak layer		1800m
Wind slab		Treeline

Beware fresh snowdrift accumulations, they can easily be triggered

Medium-sized slab avalanches can easily be triggered by one single person in the drifts and in the old snow. Danger zones occur in wind-loaded steep terrain, behind drops in the landscape and in gullies and bowls. Avalanche prone locations are not visible to the naked eye and make a defensive route selection imperative. Superficially triggered avalanches can fracture down to deeper layers of the snowpack and then grow to larger size. Danger zones increase in frequency and size with ascending altitude.

Snowpack

Tonight, 5-10cm of snowfall is anticipated, in the Rätikon up to 20cm of fresh snow. The often trigger-sensitive snowdrift accumulations from recent days will be blanketed, making them difficult to see. As a result of northerly winds, fresh, trigger-sensitive snowdrift accumulations will be generated at high altitudes. Particularly on steep shady high-altitude slopes, the fresh snow and drifts will cover a weak old snowpack. Over the last few days, graupel, in wind-protected zones also surface hoar or trigger-sensitive, thin melt-freeze crusts have been blanketed by fresh snow. Snow profiles, successful artificial triggerings with explosives and observations in outlying terrain confirm just how weak the snowpack structuring is.

Tendency

As a result of heavy snowfall and storm-strength winds, avalanche danger will increase significantly on Monday.

Danger level

treeline

Wind slab		Treeline
Persistent weak layer		2000m

Fresh wind slab prone to triggering

The avalanche risk is moderate above the tree line and low below. In the north-west to north to south-east orientated steep terrain, small avalanches can be triggered by individuals in some places. Above 2000 m, small slab avalanches are also possible in a few places in persistent weak layers. 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. Caution in the area of terrain traps.

Snowpack

During the night to Sunday, 10 to 15 cm of new fallen snow will fall on a small-scale surface. Fresh, prone to triggering snowdrift accumulations form, older snowdrift accumulations are covered with snow. On shady slopes protected from the wind above around 2000 metres, surface hoar has also been covered with snow in some cases. At high altitudes, especially in northern and eastern aspects, bonded snow overlays a weak old snowpack of faceted crystals and deep frost.

Tendency

The wind picks up and fresh snowdrift accumulations continue to form. The persistent weak layer problem remains.

Danger level

treeline

Wind slab		Treeline
Persistent weak layer		2000m

Blown-in areas should be avoided.

The avalanche risk is moderate above the tree line and low below it. The main problem is wind slab. Slab avalanches can be triggered with little additional load. Avalanche prone locations are adjacent to ridgelines on steep slopes with aspects from north-west to north to south, as well as in gullies and bowls. Avalanches can reach medium size. The number and size of avalanche prone locations increase with altitude. Especially at high altitudes (above 2000 m), avalanches can sometimes tear through very steep shady slopes to deeper weak layers in the old snowpack.

Snowpack

In places, fresh and older wind slab lies on graupel, surface hoar or thin wind and melt-freeze crusts that are prone to triggering. The connection to the old snowpack deteriorates with altitude. In addition, weak intermediate layers are embedded within the wind slab, which have formed during breaks in precipitation. Some of the wind slab is soft and difficult to recognise. At higher altitudes, there are still some deeper weak layers of faceted crystals in the snowpack. There is a widespread lack of old snowpack on the south side. At lower elevations, the old snowpack is damp or wet.

Tendency

Further increase in avalanche danger with storms and new fallen snow at the beginning of the week.

Danger level

treeline

Wind slab		Treeline
Persistent weak layer		Treeline

Low avalanche danger, watch out for fresh pillows of wind drifted snow at high altitudes.

The avalanche risk is low (level 1). Fresh pillows of wind drifted snow can be found occasionally in aspects from north to south-east and can be triggered as small slab avalanches by individual winter sports enthusiasts adjacent to ridgelines. 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 entrainment, falling and injury outweighs the risk of burial. Hardness or icy surfaces can be covered by little snow and be difficult to recognise.

Snowpack

Around 5 cm of new fallen snow will fall in the night to Sunday. In the Türnitz Alps it could be up to 10 cm. With the strong north-westerly wind, pillows of wind drifted snow will form, which will be deposited on a crusted can form surface of old snow at higher altitudes. The foundation of the old snowpack is still weakened by deep rime and faceted crystals at shady high altitudes. There are usually several melt-freeze crusts on top. In general, there is little snow, in southern aspects and below around 1300 metres, the slopes were mostly bare before the snowfall.

Tendency

The avalanche danger remains the same. In the night to Monday, strong to stormy westerly winds will develop with the passage of a warm front. Monday will be mostly free of precipitation and the clouds will soften at times. In the evening and on Tuesday night, a north-westerly weather pattern sets in, making a few centimetres of new fallen snow possible again.

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 slab snow is deposited in the Hochschwab area and can also be triggered as a snow slab. However, even if the old snowpack is torn through, the avalanches usually remain small.

Snowpack

Some new fallen snow covers surface hoar or angular shapes on the north side. The foundation is still weak.

Tendency

Strong to stormy westerly winds will blow across the northern side of the Alps on Monday night as a warm front passes through. A few centimetres of new fallen snow may fall in the northern Limestone Alps. Monday will be mostly free of precipitation during the day and the clouds will soften on the southern side of the Alps. In the evening and during the night on Tuesday, a north-westerly weather pattern will set in, resulting in renewed snowfall in the northern foothills. No significant change in the avalanche risk is expected.

Danger level

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

Strong to stormy westerly winds will blow across the northern side of the Alps on Monday night as a warm front passes through. A few centimetres of new fallen snow may fall in the northern Limestone Alps. Monday will be mostly free of precipitation during the day and the clouds will soften on the southern side of the Alps. In the evening and during the night on Tuesday, a north-westerly weather pattern will set in, resulting in renewed snowfall in the northern foothills. No new snowfall is expected in the south.