Danger level

2000m

Persistent weak layer

2000m

Weak persistent layers become even easier to disturb during daytime changes

The avalanche risk is considerable from around 2000 m, below that it is low. In some places, medium to large slab avalanches can be triggered by individuals, especially in the north-west to east aspects. Take particular care at the transitions from little to more snow. Danger areas are often difficult to recognise and a defensive choice of route is still advised. As the snowpack softens during daytime changes, deeper layers can be disturbed much more easily. Occasionally, wet snow slabs are then also possible in sunny slopes that have not yet been unloaded.

Snowpack

The snowpack can cool down well overnight and form a melt-freeze crust, which softens again during the day on sunny slopes. In general, the snowpack on sunny slopes is damp or wet up to high altitudes. In shady high altitudes, some of the snow surface is still soft, faceted snow, some of which has already crusted can form. Below this lies a now well-set and connected sequence of compact drift snow layers, but often a crust with angular crystals is still embedded in the upper area. The connection at the transition to the old snow foundation, which consists mainly of deep rime, is still poor to very poor and fractures can still be easily provoked here. Deep and sunny middle layers are often already snowed out.

Tendency

The number of avalanche prone locations in the persistent weak layer is only slowly decreasing. The outgoing longwave radiation is somewhat limited on Sunday night.

Danger level

1800m

Persistent weak layer		1800m
Wet snow

Persistent weak layer and increased wet snow problem during daytime changes

The avalanche risk is predominantly moderate above an altitude of around 1600 metres. There are still avalanche prone locations on shady slopes in steep terrain. Here and most likely at the transition from little to more snow, slab avalanches can be triggered by mostly large additional loads. In some cases, naturally triggered avalanches of up to medium size are possible from unloaded steep slopes, with the warming of the day and plenty of sunshine, especially in the afternoon.

Snowpack

The snowpack has largely settled, with only some firmness on the surface overnight, but is otherwise moist up to high altitudes and often wet on sunny slopes. The snow surface quickly loses firmness depending on altitude and aspect. At high altitudes and on shady slopes, the snow base, fundament continues to be weakened by the kinetic metamorphism. In the middle sunny slopes, the snow depths have already decreased significantly again and, like at low altitude, are often bare.

Tendency

Note the persistent weak layer problem and daytime changes in wet snow avalanches.

Danger level

1800m

Persistent weak layer		1800m
Wet snow		1600m

Watch out for persistent weak layer problems at high altitudes! Slight daytime changes.

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. There is still a persistent weak layer problem in the northern sector: in very steep gullies and bowls on the shady slopes, triggering of dry slab avalanches is possible with large additional loads.

Snowpack

During the night, the snowpack regains firmness. However, it loses firmness again due to the sunlight. Up to the high altitudes, the snowpack became wet, moist or hard, depending on the aspect. On the northern slopes of the high altitudes, the kinetic metamorphism (persistent weak layer problem) continues to weaken the snowpack.

Tendency

High pressure weather will continue on Sunday. The wind is coming from the south. No significant change in the avalanche danger is expected.

Danger level

2000m

Persistent weak layer

2000m

Generally favorable conditions. Caution urged on steep shady slopes.

Avalanches can still be triggered by winter sports enthusiasts, particularly in little-skied terrain in west-, north-, and east-facing aspects. 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. A cautious route selection and maintaining safety distances between tourers on ascents and descents are recommended. On hard-frozen steep slopes, the danger of sliding and falling require special caution. During the course of the day, naturally triggered small wet-snow avalanches are possible on sunny, steep slopes.

Snowpack

Following a night of clear skies and good longwave outgoing radiation, the snowpack is well consolidated and stable. Generally there is a melt-freeze crust capable of bearing loads, which softens up during the daytime hours from east-to-south-to-west. On shady slopes at higher altitudes there are unbonded large cup-shaped crystals in the lowermost part of the snowpack. In high alpine regions of the Silvretta Massif, small-sized fresh snowdrift accumulations have recently been generated.

Tendency

No significant change is anticipated. The persistent weak layer problem on shady high-altitude slopes will persist.

Danger level

2000m

Persistent weak layer

2000m

Weak persistent layers become even easier to disturb during daytime changes

The avalanche risk is moderate above the tree line and low below. In a few places that are often difficult to recognise, medium-sized slab avalanches can still be triggered by individuals, especially in the extended northern sector. This is in particular at the transitions from little to more snow. As the snowpack softens during daytime changes, deeper layers can be disturbed much more easily. Occasional wet snow slabs are then also possible in sunny slopes that have not yet been unloaded.

Snowpack

The snowpack can cool down well overnight and form a melt-freeze crust, which softens again during the day on sunny slopes. In general, the snowpack on sunny slopes is damp or wet up to high altitudes. In shady high altitudes, some of the snow surface is still soft, faceted snow, some of which has already crusted can form. Below this lies a now well-set and connected sequence of compact drift snow layers, but often a crust with angular crystals is still embedded in the upper area. The connection at the transition to the old snow foundation, which consists mainly of deep rime, is still poor to very poor and fractures can still be easily provoked here. Deep and sunny middle layers are often already snowed out.

Tendency

The number of avalanche prone locations in the persistent weak layer is only slowly decreasing. The outgoing longwave radiation is somewhat limited on Sunday night.

Danger level

1900m

Persistent weak layer		1900m
Wet snow		2200m

Avalanche danger in high alpine regions is moderate

There are also some places in high alpine regions with blown snow, which can trigger an avalanche 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 becomes harder during the day, especially on Sunny slopes. As the snow warms up, it undergoes a more intense transformation on sunny slopes, which is less pronounced on the axis. In the old snow cover, several weak layers of shreds and coarse grains appear 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

1800m

Persistent weak layer		1800m
Wet snow

At higher altitudes, be aware of the risk of slipping on shady slopes.

The avalanche risk is moderate above 1800 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, individual small to medium gliding avalanches are also possible on slopes with a smooth surface. During the daytime changes and with the sunlight, smaller loose snow avalanches can detach themselves from the rocky steep terrain.

Snowpack

On shady slopes at higher altitudes, weak layers 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 is usually crust-capable of bearing loads and icy. In the sun, the snow quickly softens again during the day, causing it to lose its bond. On the shady slopes, faceted crystals form at higher altitudes under the thin, surface melt-freeze crust. Towards the ground, the snowpack is wet in the middle layers.

Tendency

Hardly any change in avalanche danger.

Danger level

1800m

Persistent weak layer

1800m

Persistent weak layer problem in the northern sector!

The avalanche risk is low. Wet loose snow avalanches can occasionally release on their own in extremely steep terrain. However, these will only be slides. 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

The snowpack will gain some firmness during the night. In the northern sector, there is still a persistent weak layer problem in the Niedere Tauern, in the Hochschwab area but also in the Gruk and Seetal Alps above 1800 metres. Floating snow is weakening the snow layering.

Tendency

High pressure weather will continue on Sunday. Wind from the south. Avalanche danger remains the same.

Danger level

Favorable conditions, with slight daytime rise in avalanche danger

Avalanche danger is predominantly low. Isolated danger zones occur particularly in extremely steep terrain. Small avalanche triggerings are mostly possible in relatively 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.

Snowpack

Following a night of clear skies and good longwave outgoing radiation, the snowpack is well consolidated and stable. Generally there is a melt-freeze crust capable of bearing loads, which softens up during the daytime hours, 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, no significant change anticipated

Danger level

Wet snow

Low risk of isolated wet snow avalanches

The avalanche risk is low. Small spontaneous wet snow avalanches are still possible in the afternoon on the few sunny slopes that have not yet been discharged. In addition, small snow slabs can still be triggered occasionally in the entrance areas of gullies and bowls on the shady slopes, but usually only with a large additional load.

Snowpack

The snowpack is moist to wet and well settled right up to the summit areas. The snow surface can cool down well overnight and crust can form, but on the sunny slopes it softens again during the day. In the higher on shady slopes, there are still weak layers of large faceted crystals in the lower part of the snowpack, especially near the ground. Low and sunny mid-altitude areas are snowed out.

Tendency

No change in avalanche danger. Weak daytime changes in wet snow avalanche activity.

Danger level

Wet snow

In the sun, the snowpack softens quickly and the sinking depths can be great.

The avalanche risk is low. Wet snow is the main problem. During the daytime changes, small loose snow avalanches can detach themselves from the rocky steep terrain with the sun's rays. On very steep slopes with smooth ground that have not yet been discharged, individual smaller gliding avalanches are possible. On shady steep slopes at higher altitudes, medium slab avalanches can also be triggered in isolated cases with a large additional load. This is particularly the case at transitions from a little to a lot of snow.

Snowpack

The snowpack is soaked up to high altitudes and is often wet towards the ground. A stable melt-freeze crust forms overnight. It softens again quickly in the sun and the snow loses its grip. On shady slopes, the snow surface remains hard and icy. Occasionally, weak layers of faceted crystals can be found deep in the snowpack on shady slopes at higher altitudes. These are covered by compact or crusted can form layers of snow. On the south side and at lower altitudes, the ground is becoming increasingly paler.

Tendency

The avalanche danger remains low.

Danger level

Wet snow

Low avalanche danger, only isolated avalanche prone locations

The avalanche risk is low. Where there are still snow reserves, small wet snow or gliding sluffs may occur in a few places as the day warms up. At higher altitudes, there is sometimes an increased risk of falling in the entrance areas to steep gullies due to icy patches. In the northern sector, there are still isolated avalanche prone locations in persistent weak layers at higher altitudes.

Snowpack

A melt-freeze crust forms overnight. 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 also persist during the day. At higher altitudes, the snow surface is often hard and sometimes icy due to wind and rain. There are still considerable amounts of wind slabs in the gullies and bowls, which are already well consolidated. Faceted crystals can weaken the snow base, fundament in the northern sector. There is little snow below 1500 metres.

Tendency

The avalanche risk remains low. The sunny and very mild high-pressure weather will continue over the next few days. Due to the dry air masses, snowmelt will slow down somewhat. However, the rapid decline in snow will continue on sunny slopes.