The avalanche danger soon increases from considerable to high above the tree line, and from low to moderate below. The situation is dangerous for winter sports.
On slopes of all aspects (and especially in the foehn corridors), medium to large slab avalanches can be triggered very easily in some places (including remote triggering) by individuals. Naturally triggered avalanches also occur. In particular on north-west to north to east-facing slopes above 2000 metres, surface-triggered avalanches can break through into deeper layers and become very large. Danger areas are sometimes barely recognisable and require a very defensive choice of route. Fresh avalanches, cracks in the snowpack and booming noises indicate danger.
Snowpack
From Sunday to Thursday, about half a metre of new fallen snow was transported extensively and is very prone to triggering. Fresh (from today, Thursday) foehn drift snow and older, over-snowed wind slab snow overlay soft layers of faceted crystals and deep frost. In wind-protected areas, on shady slopes above about 2000 m, on sunny slopes above 2400 m, some surface hoar has also been snowed in. 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.
Tendency
The avalanche danger is slowly decreasing on Friday.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Persistent weak layer
2000m
Fresh wind slab and weak persistent weak layer
The avalanche risk is considerable above the tree line and low below. Especially in the sectors from north-west to north to south, slab avalanches can easily be triggered by individuals in some places. Avalanches reach medium size and can tear through the persistent weak layer. Be careful in particular near transitions from little to more snow and in the blown-in entrance areas to steep gullies. Some avalanche prone locations are difficult to recognise and require a defensive choice of route.
Snowpack
The snow surface is heavily treated by the wind and prone to triggering. Within the snowpack, bonded snow overlays soft, faceted layers. In wind-protected, shady areas above about 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 built-up old snow foundation. In general, areas with little snow alternate with sometimes considerable snowdrift accumulations in a confined space with below-average overall snow depths.
Tendency
On Friday, a northerly foehn will form fresh wind slabs.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Persistent weak layer
2000m
Fresh and older wind slabs are easy to release.
The avalanche risk is considerable above the tree line and low below.
In north-west to north to south-facing slopes, avalanches can easily be triggered by individuals in some places. Above 2000 m, slab avalanches are still possible in persistent weak layers in a few places. Avalanches can reach medium size. 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. Caution should also be exercised at the edge of forests and in forest aisles. Cracks when stepping on the snowpack indicate danger. Caution in the area of terrain traps.
Snowpack
From Sunday to Tuesday, 20 cm to 60 cm of new fallen snow was transported extensively and is very prone to triggering. On Thursday, too, the wind (from the south in the morning, from the north in the afternoon) formed fresh wind slabs. A break usually occurs between the last wind slab and layers of fresh snow, in some places surface hoar has also been snowed in. At high altitudes, especially in northern and eastern aspects, bonded snow overlays a weak old snowpack of faceted crystals and deep frost.
Tendency
The avalanche danger remains similar on Friday.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Persistent weak layer
2000m
Avoid fresh wind slab!
The avalanche risk is considerable above the tree line and low below. The situation is precarious for winter sports.
In some places, medium-sized slab avalanches can easily be triggered by individuals on slopes of all aspects and especially in foehn corridors. In particular on north-west to north to east-facing slopes above 2000 metres, avalanches triggered on the surface can tear through to deeper layers and become large. Danger areas are sometimes barely recognisable and require a defensive choice of route. Be careful in particular near transitions from little to much snow, behind terrain edges, in the entrance areas to steep gullies and bowls and also in the forest boundary area or in forest aisles. Remote triggering is possible and naturally triggered avalanches can also occur on very steep terrain.
Snowpack
In the past few days, around half a metre of new fallen snow has been transported extensively and is very prone to triggering. Fresh and older, over-snowed wind slab snow 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 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.
Tendency
On the main ridge and in Lungau, a strong northerly foehn will blow on Friday, forming fresh wind slab. The avalanche risk remains considerable above the tree line.
