Still weak old snow regionally. Slight daytime rise in wet-snow activity.
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. In addition, below 2200m moist slab avalanches can often be triggered by winter sports enthusiasts in the weak old 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 nights of clear to cloudy skies, the snowpack surface freezes only poorly. As a result of solar radiation and daytime warming, the snowpack rapidly softens during daytime hours.
Tendency
As a result of daytime warming and solar radiation, danger of wet-snow avalanches increases somewhat during the course of the day. The persistent weak layer problem persists, causing a difficult-to-calculate situation in outlying terrain.
Danger level
2000m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2000m
Consider persistent weak layer in tour planning
The avalanche risk is considerable from around 2000 m, below that it is low. In a few places, medium to large dry slab avalanches can be triggered by individuals, especially on shady slopes. Most avalanche prone locations are in the north and east sectors, at higher altitudes (from around 2400 m) they also occur on the west and south sides. Take care in the transition from little to more snow. Danger areas are difficult to recognise away from obvious pillows of wind drifted snow. Caution and a defensive choice of route is still advised, especially when danger signs such as booming noises, cracks and fresh avalanches occur.
Individual gliding avalanches occur on steep grassy terrain. Wet loose snow avalanches and snow slabs from sunny slopes that have not yet been unloaded are also possible.
Snowpack
On the sunny slopes, the snowpack briefly carries a (more or less load-bearing) melt-freeze crust, below which it is moist up to high altitudes. There is still soft, dry snow on the shady slopes. The new and wind slab snow of the last week has settled and is often well connected to each other. However, the connection to the angular persistent weak layer below is still poor.
Deep and sunny middle layers are often already snowed out.
Tendency
The persistent weak layer problem continues to make the situation in the terrain difficult to calculate. There will be slight daytime changes in wet avalanches on Wednesday.
Danger level
1700m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
1700m
Wind slab
Treeline
Wet snow
2000m
Avalanche danger is gradually decreasing
With a slight cooling and cloudy weather, the danger of wet snow avalanches has decreased.
However, there are still some places in the high alpine regions with blown snow where a heavy load can trigger avalanches. 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 becomes harder during the day, especially on Sunny slopes. This process will be less pronounced today. In high alpine regions, the snowpack will remain frosty during the day.
The old snow cover is made up of layers of bonded snow that are already somewhat compacted and mostly well interconnected. In the old snow cover, several weak layers of faceted snow crystals and frosted grains occur deep below the surface.
Tendency
It will clear up on Tuesday. Faster in the high alpine regions than in the mid mountains. There will be no major warming. The danger of avalanches will remain similar.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
Treeline
Persistent weak layer remains the main danger
The avalanche risk is moderate above the tree line and low below.
On shady slopes, medium dry slab avalanches can be triggered by individuals in a few places. Most likely at the transition from little to more snow. Danger areas are difficult to recognise, which is why defensive route selection is still advised.
Individual gliding avalanches occur on steep grassy terrain. Wet loose snow avalanches and snow slabs from sunny slopes that have not yet been unloaded are also possible.
Snowpack
On the sunny slopes, the snowpack has a (more or less stable) melt-freeze crust for a short time, underneath it is moist to wet up to high altitudes. On the shady slopes, soft, dry snow can still be found from around 1800 metres. The new and wind slab snow of the last week has settled and is often well connected to each other. However, the connection to the angular persistent weak layer below is still poor in places. Deep and sunny mid-levels are often already snowed out.
Tendency
The persistent weak layer problem is only slowly weakening. Slight daytime changes in wet avalanches on Wednesday.
Danger level
1700m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
1700m
Gliding snow
2000m
There is a risk of falling on hard snow surfaces.
The avalanche risk is moderate above 1700 metres and low below that. Persistent weak layer is a persistent weak layer. With large additional loads, medium slab avalanches can be triggered on shady slopes. Take particular care at high altitudes in transition areas from little to much snow, for example when entering gullies and bowls.
At medium altitudes, gliding avalanches are 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 deep in the snowpack. These are usually covered by compact or crusted can form layers of snow. Early in the morning, the snowpack at medium altitudes is frozen hard and firns in the sun during the day. Towards the ground, the snowpack is partly wet and can glide snow. In the foothills, the ground is increasingly pitting on the south side.
Tendency
Slow decline in the wet snow problem - the persistent weak layer problem remains.
Danger level
1800m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
1800m
Wet snow
Persistent weak layer problem in shady high altitudes!
The avalanche danger is rated as moderate above 1800 metres. Wet loose snow avalanches from slopes that have not yet been discharged are still possible. The frequency of final loads has decreased.
There is still a persistent weak layer problem in the northern sector: Triggering of dry slab avalanches is possible in very steep gullies and bowls on shady slopes with large additional loads. The avalanches can tear through to the ground in the northern sector.
Snowpack
The firmness of the snowpack surface increases again briefly during the night. The expected new fallen snow is not relevant for avalanches. On the northern slopes, the kinetic metamorphism (cup crystals in the snow layer close to the ground!) continues to weaken the snowpack.
Tendency
We will remain under the influence of weak disturbances on Tuesday and Wednesday. There will be an increased risk of showers in the afternoon, especially from the Gurktal Alps to the Eisenerz Alps, with the possibility of a few centimetres of new fallen snow. However, only above 1600 metres, as the temperature level will remain high. No significant change in the avalanche risk is expected.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
Treeline
Wet snow
Weak layers in persistent weak layer!
The avalanche risk is moderate above the tree line. There are still avalanche prone locations on steep terrain, especially on shady slopes. Slab avalanches can be triggered here by large, and in places also by small additional loads. Naturally triggered damp to wet avalanches are rarely possible from very steep terrain that has not been unloaded. Medium-sized avalanches are generally possible. If deeper layers are also affected, they can occasionally become large.
Snowpack
The snowpack has settled. It is damp to wet up to high altitudes. The snow surface varies greatly depending on altitude, aspect and time of day. At high altitudes and on shady slopes, the snow base, fundament is still weakened by the kinetic metamorphism and in some places there are weak layers in older drift snow packs. In the middle elevations, the snow depths on the sunny slopes have already decreased significantly or are as bare as in the lower elevations.
Tendency
No significant change in the avalanche situation.
Danger level
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
Main danger: weak old snowpack. Slight daytime rise in wet-snow activity.
Avalanche danger in the morning hours is predominantly low. Isolated danger zones occur particularly in extremely steep terrain. Small avalanche triggerings are mostly possible in releatively shallow-snow areas and in transitions from shallow to deep snow. Beware the danger of sliding and falling on hard-frozen steep slopes. During the course of the day, naturally triggered small-sized avalanches are possible on sun-basked steep slopes. Avoid zones beneath glide cracks.
Snowpack
Snowpack is predominantly well consolidated and stable following a night of clear skies with good outgoing radiation. Mostly a melt-freeze crust capable of bearing loads. During the course of the day the uppermost layers will soften, particularly at low altitudes and on sunny slopes. No further triggerings in older weak layers of the snowpack were registered in recent days at the Avalanche Warning Service.
Tendency
Continuing favorable conditions, with a sliight daytime rise in danger of wet-snow avalanches
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
Treeline
Wet snow
Consider persistent weak layer problems in the northern sector at high altitudes. Isolated loose snow slides.
The avalanche risk is low. At high altitudes above the tree line, there is still a persistent weak layer problem in the northern sector, especially in shady gullies and bowls. Small to medium-sized slab avalanches can occur in a few places under heavy additional load. Avalanche prone locations are mainly in the transition from little to more snow. Occasionally, small wet loose snow slides are still possible, especially during rain showers. However, many areas have already been cleared. Small gliding avalanches can also occur on steep grassy slopes.
Snowpack
Due to the very mild weather phase, the snow surface is quickly soft and moist in the morning. The melt-freeze crust can last longer in shady high altitudes. The old snowpack here is unfavourably structured and weakened in places with crusts and embedded faceted crystals. There is little snow below 1500 metres. On steep grassy slopes and forest embankments with larger snow reserves, the entire snowpack can start gliding snow.
Tendency
On Wednesday, it will be slightly changeable again with rain or snow showers in the afternoon. The snowfall level is between 1500 and 2000 metres. High pressure will prevail from Thursday. The avalanche danger remains low.
Danger level
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
Be aware of isolated loose snow slides and danger of falling in the icy entrance areas of steep gullies.
The avalanche risk is low. Wet loose snow slides are still possible in isolated cases from unloaded gullies and bowls. At higher altitudes, there is an increased risk of falling in the entrance areas to steep gullies due to the icy and hard snow surface. In the transition from little to more snow, small slab avalanches cannot be completely ruled out in the snowdrift accumulations.
Snowpack
Due to the very mild weather phase, the snow surface is quickly soft and moist in sunny locations in the morning. In shady locations, the melt-freeze crust can last longer.
At higher altitudes, the snow surface is usually hard and sometimes icy due to wind and rain. There are still considerable amounts of wind slabs in the gullies and bowls, but these are usually well consolidated. There is little snow below 1500 metres.
Tendency
On Wednesday, it will be slightly changeable again with rain or snow showers in the afternoon. The snowfall level is between 1500 and 2000 metres. High pressure will prevail from Thursday. The avalanche danger remains low.
Danger level
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
Minor wet snow problem
The avalanche risk is low. A few small, wet avalanches can occur spontaneously or be triggered by a winter sports enthusiast. Individual gliding avalanches are also possible. There is also a slight persistent weak layer problem from around 1600 metres. Avalanches can break in persistent weak layers, in particular with a large additional load.
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. Deep and sunny mid-level locations are often already snowed out.
Tendency
Slight daytime changes in wet avalanches on Wednesday.
Danger level
Persistent weak layer problem in the northern sector!
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
During the night, the snowpack gains some firmness. Depending on the aspect, the snow becomes damp or wet up to high altitudes during the day changes, which leads to a decreasing firmness and destabilisation of the snowpack. The thawing is progressing! In the northern sector, there is still a persistent weak layer problem in the Gruk and Seetal Alps above 1900 metres.
Tendency
We will remain under the influence of weak disturbances on Tuesday and Wednesday. There will be an increased risk of showers in the afternoon, especially from the Gurktal Alps to the Eisenerz Alps, with the possibility of a few centimetres of new fallen snow. However, only above 1600 metres, as the temperature level will remain high. No significant change in the avalanche risk is expected.
Danger level
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
Main danger: weak old snowpack. Slight daytime rise in wet-snow activity.
Avalanche danger above 1800m is moderate, below that altitude danger is low. One single winter sports enthusiast can trigger avalanches on very steep shady slopes above 1800m which fracture down to deeper layers of the snowpack, particularly where the melt-freeze crusts are not capable of bearing loads. Danger zones occur most often in relatively shallow-snow places and in transitions from shallow to deep snow. In addition, above 1600m isolated moist slab avalanches can be triggered by winter sports enthusiasts in the weak old snow. Avalanches can fracture down to deeper layers inside the snowpack and grow to medium size. During the daytime hours, small wet-snow and glide-snow avalanches can trigger naturally in steep sunny terrain. Avoid zones beneath glide cracks. In addition, below 2200m moist wet-snow avalanches can be triggered by winter sports enthusiasts.
Snowpack
Above 1800m on shady slopes, weak layers still occur in the lowermost part of the snowpack. During nights of clear to cloudy skies, the snowpack surface freezes only poorly. As a result of solar radiation and daytime warming, the snowpack rapidly softens during daytime hours.
Tendency
As a result of daytime warming and solar radiation, danger of wet-snow avalanches increases somewhat during the course of the day. The persistent weak layer problem persists, causing a difficult-to-calculate situation in outlying terrain.
Danger level
Little snow, the snow is falling.
The avalanche risk is low. Small loose snow slides from slopes that have not yet been unloaded cannot be completely ruled out, but most areas have already been unloaded.
Snowpack
Due to the very mild weather, the snowpack is damp and wet up to high altitudes. Only on northern slopes was a melt-freeze crust able to form in places. The faceted crystals, which have long weakened the foundation of the snowpack in shady gullies, have been largely transformed by rain and melting. There is usually only a little snow up to the summit regions.
Tendency
On Wednesday, it will be slightly changeable again with rain showers in the afternoon. The snowfall level will mostly be above summit level. High pressure will prevail from Thursday. The avalanche risk remains low.
