Avalanche Service Styria

Saturday 14 March 2026

Published 13 Mar 2026, 17:31:00


Danger level

1800m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
1800m


Persistent weak layer problem on the north side

The avalanche risk is moderate above 1800 metres and low below. There is still a persistent weak layer problem in the extended northern sector. Medium-sized slab avalanches can still be triggered by people in steep gullies and bowls. The avalanche prone locations are usually difficult to recognise and are often located in transition areas from little to much snow. The probability of triggering wet snow avalanches increases slightly during the daytime changes from very steep east- to south- to west-facing slopes. In steep terrain, there is a risk of falling on the hard snow surface.

Snowpack

Outgoing longwave radiation is somewhat reduced from the second half of the night. As a result, the snow surface can often only consolidate weakly and soften increasingly on the sunny slopes depending on the incoming radiation. On shady slopes, there are still areas with a soft (faceted) snow surface at higher altitudes, where the firmness of the layer changes depending on the altitude and exposure. Below this there is an increasingly sufficiently settled and compact snowpack, the transition to the foundation consisting of deep rime (floating snow) is still poor. Medium (sunny slopes) and low altitudes are largely free of snow.

Tendency

Sunday morning will be partly sunny, especially from the Seetaler Alpe to the Wechsel. Rain showers will then develop from midday. Little change in the avalanche danger.


Danger level

1800m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
1800m


Latent persistent weak layer problem, slightly increasing wet snow problem

The avalanche risk is low. Nevertheless, there is still a persistent weak layer problem in the extended northern sector. Occasionally, mainly in very steep gullies and bowls, slab avalanches can be triggered by people. The avalanche prone locations are usually difficult to recognise and are often located in transition areas from a little to a lot of snow. On sunny slopes, incoming radiation increases the probability of triggering small wet snow avalanches. In steep terrain, there is a risk of falling on the hard snow surface.

Snowpack

With outgoing longwave radiation, a melt-freeze crust can form, which softens on the sunny slopes during the day with increasing moisture penetration. On shady slopes at higher altitudes, there are still isolated areas with a soft (faceted) snow surface, where the firmness of the layer changes depending on altitude and exposure. Below this there is an increasingly sufficiently settled and compact snowpack, the transition to the foundation consisting of deep rime (floating snow) is still poor. Medium and low altitudes are often free of snow.

Tendency

On Sunday, the sun will often shine, especially on the southern side of the Alps, while there will be more clouds to the north of the main Alpine ridge. Local showers are to be expected in the afternoon. Little change in the avalanche danger.