In the lowermost part of the snowpack above 2000m there are marked weak layers evident. Wherever the snowpack is melt-freeze encrusted and not capable of bearing loads, avalanches can in places be triggered by one single winter sports enthusiast, particularly in little-skied terrain in west-, north-, and east-facing aspects, as well as on steep sunny slopes above 2600m. Danger zones occur especially in spots where the snow is relatively shallow, and in transitions from shallow to deep snow. Avalanches can trigger down to deeper layers inside the snowpack and grow to large size. On steep grass-covered slopes, isolated glide-snow avalanches are possible despite lower temperatures. Avoid zones below glide cracks in the surface.
Snowpack
On shady slopes at higher altitudes there are large-sized cup-shaped crystals widespread in the lowermost part of the snowpack, without bonding. The deep fresh snow and drifts from last week blanket this poor fundament. During a night of cloudy skies, the snowpack will freeze only poorly, after it softened up during the daytime on Saturday.
Tendency
Main danger: the weak snowpack. At higher altitudes, situation for winter sports enthusiasts remains treacherous in seldom-skied terrain.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
Treeline
Wet snow
2600m
Combined wet and persistent weak layer problem
The avalanche risk is considerable above the tree line and moderate below. In some places, especially on shady slopes above the tree line, medium to large dry slab avalanches can be triggered by individuals (even from a distance). Danger areas are difficult to recognise away from obvious pillows of wind drifted snow, which is why caution and a defensive choice of route is still advised. This applies in particular in the area of the tree line and in forest aisles. In addition, large spontaneous and human-triggered wet snow avalanches may occur in all aspects. There is a low level of sliding snow activity.
Snowpack
Overnight, a stable melt-freeze crust forms on the steep sunny slopes, but this softens very quickly. The upper part of the snowpack is then formed by several slab-thick layers of felt and wind slab of varying hardness, which in turn rests on an unfavourable base of faceted crystals and deep rime. Fractures primarily occur between the last packets of drift snow, but can also break through to the old snow foundation, which is usually completely transformed. In places with little snow and in deep or sunny slopes, the snowpack becomes isothermal during the day changes.
Tendency
The persistent weak layer problem continues to make the situation tense and difficult to calculate in the terrain. Outgoing longwave radiation on Monday night is severely limited.
Danger level
1800m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
1800m
Wet snow
2100m
Persistent weak layer problem in shady high altitudes!
The risk of avalanches increases slightly with the warming and sunshine. However, the clouds are dampening the daytime changes. Wet loose snow avalanches from slopes that have not yet discharged are still possible, although there have already been many discharges in the last few days. Triggering of dry slab avalanches is possible in very steep gullies and bowls on shady slopes with high additional loads. The avalanches can tear through to the ground in the northern sector. Occasional gliding avalanches can still slide from grass mats.
Snowpack
During the night, the firmness of the snowpack surface increases again briefly. Due to the mild temperatures and solar radiation, the snowpack loses firmness in the morning. On the northern slopes, the kinetic metamorphism (cup crystals in the snow layer close to the ground!) continues to weaken the snowpack.
Tendency
Monday will still be cloudy and unsettled, with unproductive showers possible, especially in the afternoon. From Tuesday, from today's perspective, high-pressure conditions will prevail again, resulting in calm, windless and mild weather. No significant change in the avalanche risk is expected.
Danger level
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
Persistent weak layer
1600m
Low old and moderate wet snow problem
The avalanche risk is moderate. A few small, wet avalanches can occur spontaneously or be triggered by a winter sports enthusiast, and medium avalanches are still possible in isolated cases. Individual gliding avalanches are also possible. There is also a minor persistent weak layer problem from around 1600 metres where the old snowpack has survived. Avalanches usually remain small, but can be triggered by individuals.
Snowpack
The snowpack is moist to wet and well settled up to high altitudes. Where there was an old snowpack before the snowfall, it still contains weak layers of large faceted crystals, especially near the ground.
Tendency
Avalanche danger is slowly decreasing as the snow melts. However, outgoing longwave radiation will be limited on Monday night.
Danger level
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
Persistent weak layer
Treeline
Combined wet and persistent weak layer problem
The avalanche risk is moderate. In a few places, spontaneous wet snow avalanches and those triggered by people can occur in all aspects, which usually remain medium-sized but can occasionally accumulate large amounts of wet snow. In addition, medium to large dry slab avalanches can be triggered by individuals in a few places, especially on shady slopes above the tree line. Danger areas are difficult to recognise away from obvious pillows of wind drifted snow, which is why a defensive choice of route is still advised. This applies in particular to the tree line. Loose snow slides can easily tear through the persistent weak layer and reach dangerous sizes. There is little sliding snow activity.
Snowpack
The snow surface is often soft and moist on the sunny slope. The upper part of the snowpack then consists of several slab-thick layers of felt and wind slab of varying hardness, which in turn rests on an unfavourable base of faceted crystals and deep rime. Fractures primarily occur between the last packets of drift snow, but can also break through to the old snow foundation, which is usually completely transformed.
Tendency
The persistent weak layer problem continues to make the situation tense and difficult to calculate in the terrain. Outgoing longwave radiation on Monday night is severely limited.
EARLIER Danger level
2200m
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
2200m
Wind slab
Treeline
Persistent weak layer
1700m
LATER Danger level
2000m
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
2000m
Wind slab
Treeline
Persistent weak layer
1700m
As the weather warms up, the danger of wet snow avalanches has increased.
The main danger will be wet snow avalanches and gliding avalanches. As the weather warms up during the day, the danger of triggering will increase, especially on sunny slopes.
However, there are still a few places in the high alpine regions with blown snow where avalanches can be triggered in particular if the load is too high. Weak layers in the snowpack are also a problem. If the load exceeds the load-bearing capacity of the deeper Weak layers, a deep and large avalanche can be triggered. There are many such weak layers, especially on axis above the forest.
Snowpack
dp.1: deep persistent weak layer dp.10: springtime scenario
The snowpack freezes at night, but during the day it becomes hard and unstable on Sunny slopes. In the mid-mountains, the snowpack also melts. In the more arid parts, the snowpack does not change much due to the dry air mass.
The old snow cover is made up of layers of bonded snow that are already somewhat compacted and are mostly well connected. In the old snow cover, several weak layers of shreds and frosted grains occur deep below the surface.
Tendency
Monday will see more clouds, with occasional fog on the tops. Light local showers, partly showers, will be possible. It will cool down a little and the danger of Avalanches will gradually decrease.
Danger level
1400m
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
1400m
Persistent weak layer
Treeline
Weak layers in persistent weak snow and partly wet snow problem!
The avalanche risk is moderate at high and medium altitudes. Due to the still existing old snow problem, there are avalanche prone locations on steep terrain, especially in the higher on shady slopes. Slab avalanches can still be triggered here in a few places in the terrain by low additional loads. Damp to wet loose snow or slab avalanches are possible from steep, undischarged terrain. Medium-sized avalanches are generally possible. If deeper layers are also affected, they can occasionally become large.
Snowpack
The snowpack has settled significantly. Nevertheless, there is a weak foundation, especially at high altitudes and on shady slopes, due to the kinetic metamorphism and, in some cases, weak layers in older snow packs. The snow surface varies greatly depending on altitude, aspect and outgoing longwave radiation during the night. Low-lying areas are often bare. At medium elevations, the snow depths have already decreased significantly on the sunny slopes.
Tendency
No significant change in the avalanche situation.
Danger level
1800m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
1800m
Main danger: weak old snowpack
Avalanche danger above 1800m is moderate, below that altitude, low. Winter sports enthusiasts can in isolated cases trigger avalanches on steep shady slopes above 1800m which fracture down to deeper layers inside the snowpack, particularly where the snowpack is melt-freeze encrusted but is not capable of bearing loads. On steep grass-covered slopes, isolated glide-snow avalanches are possible despite lower temperatures. Avoid zones below glide cracks in the surface.
Snowpack
Above 1800m on shady slopes: weak layers occur in lowermost part of the snowpack. During a night of cloudy skies, the snowpack will freeze only poorly, after it softened up during the daytime on Saturday.
Tendency
Main danger: the weak old snowpack.
Danger level
1600m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
1600m
Gliding snow
2000m
Moisture penetration is progressing at lower levels.
The avalanche risk is moderate above 1600 metres and low below that. Persistent weak layer is a persistent weak layer. With a large additional load, large slab avalanches can be triggered on steep slopes in the west, north and east aspects. Take particular care at high altitudes in transition areas from little to much snow, for example when entering gullies and bowls.
Gliding avalanches are occasionally possible on slopes with a smooth surface. Gliding avalanches can also occur on shady slopes and at any time of day or night. They can be small to medium in size.
Snowpack
In shady slopes at higher altitudes, weak layers consisting of faceted crystals can be found deeper in the snowpack. These are usually covered by compact layers of snow. On sunny slopes, the snow surface is crusted can form and largely stable. Outgoing longwave radiation is reduced by clouds during the night to Sunday and the moisture in the snowpack increases slightly at medium altitudes. Towards the ground, the snowpack is partly wet and can glide snow on it.
Tendency
Slow decline in the wet snow problem - the persistent weak layer problem remains.
Danger level
1500m
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
1500m
Persistent weak layer
Treeline
Pay attention to wet snow and persistent weak layer problems
The avalanche risk is moderate above around 1500 metres and low below. Small, wet loose snow avalanches can still detach themselves from undischarged areas in rocky and rugged terrain as well as on very steep forest slopes, but many areas are already discharged. On snowy steep slopes with a smooth surface (e.g. long grass or foliage cover), small gliding avalanches are also possible. In a few places in the terrain, small to medium-sized slab avalanches can also be triggered by winter sports enthusiasts. Avalanche prone locations for dry slab avalanches are most likely to be found on shady steep slopes above the tree line, wet slab avalanches are still conceivable in isolated cases in the extended eastern and western exposures. In exposed locations, the snow surface is hard and icy in places and there is a risk of falling.
Snowpack
With the clouds at night, the snow surface can hardly cool down and is already soft and not load-bearing in the morning. Depending on the aspect, the snowpack is damp or wet up to high altitudes. On steep grassy slopes and forest embankments with large snow reserves, the entire snowpack can start to glide snow. At shady high altitudes, there are prone to triggering weak layers in the transition to the hardness of the old snowpack. This is unfavourably structured and weakened in places with embedded crusts and faceted crystals.
Tendency
A mixture of sun and clouds at the start of the week. No significant change in the avalanche risk.
Danger level
1500m
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
1500m
Persistent weak layer
Treeline
Little snow, the snow is falling
The avalanche risk is low. Small, wet loose snow avalanches cannot be completely ruled out from areas in very steep terrain that have not yet been discharged (e.g. forest embankments), but many areas have already been discharged. In high areas on shady slopes, the triggering of small to medium-sized, dry slab avalanches by winter sports enthusiasts is still possible in isolated cases, in particular at the entrances to steep gullies and bowls.
Snowpack
With the clouds at night, the snowpack can hardly consolidate and is already soft and not capable of bearing loads in the morning. Depending on the aspect, the snowpack is damp or wet up to high altitudes. At shady high altitudes, the old snowpack with crusts and embedded angular crystals is unfavourably structured and weakened in places.
Tendency
A mixture of sun and clouds at the start of the week. No significant change in the avalanche risk.
Danger level
The distortion is progressing!
The avalanche risk is low. Wet loose snow avalanches cannot be ruled out in isolated cases on extremely steep terrain. In the Gurk and Seetal Alps, the triggering of a snow avalanche in the northern sector on extremely steep slopes cannot be ruled out.
Snowpack
Depending on the aspect, the snow becomes damp or wet during the day changes up to high altitudes, which leads to a decreasing firmness and destabilisation of the snowpack. The erosion is progressing! In the northern sector, there is still a persistent weak layer problem in the Gruk and Seetal Alps above 1900 metres.
Tendency
However, rain showers may occur in places on Monday, most likely in the afternoon. Snow showers will only occur above 1500 metres. The wind will hardly be noticeable. At an altitude of 1500 metres, it will be 1 to 5 degrees from east to west at midday. No change in the avalanche danger is expected.
