Fresh snowdrifts can trigger medium-sized avalanches even by minimum additional loading. Danger zones occur primarily in steep ridgeline terrain and in wind-loaded gullies and bowls. Frequency and spread of avalanche prone locations increase with ascending altitude. If avalanches on high-altitude shady slopes fracture down to deeper weak layers, they can in isolated cases then grow to large size. Such avalanche prone locations occur primarily in spots where the snow is shallow or in transitions from shallow to deep snow.
Snowpack
The most recent fresh snow from the weekend has already bonded well with the widespread melt-freeze crusts. Fresh snowdrifts have been generated near ridgelines. The mid-level part of the snowpack consists of well-settled, compact layers widespread which on high-altitude shady slopes cover a poorly structured old snowpack fundament.
Tendency
Avalanche danger will continue to slowly diminish overall, but freshly generated snowdrift accumulations require caution.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Persistent weak layer
2000m
Beware of fresh wind slab, avalanche prone locations in persistent weak layers are rare but have serious consequences
The avalanche risk is considerable above the tree line and low below.
Avalanches in wind slabs can be triggered very easily by individuals, in particular in the north-west to east aspects. Danger areas are located behind terrain edges as well as in steep gullies and bowls and in the forest boundary area. Avalanches can reach medium size, and avalanches can occasionally become large by tearing through deeper weak layers in the persistent weak layer.
Above 2000 m, in the aspects from west to north to east, medium and occasionally large, dry slab avalanches can still be triggered by individuals in persistent weak layers in a few places. Such avalanche prone locations are rare but often not recognisable in the terrain. Take particular care at the transitions from little to more snow.
In sunny conditions, small loose snow avalanches can usually be triggered from extremely steep sunny slopes.
Snowpack
10 to 25 cm of new fallen snow on top of a thin layer of new and wind slab snow from the past few days. Beneath this lies soft, faceted snow in shady high areas. Otherwise, there is often a thin melt-freeze crust under the thin layer of fresh snow. Deeper in the snowpack, faceted crystals can be found on a crust; close to the ground, the snowpack consists of angular, cup-shaped crystals. The connection at the transition to the deep snowpack near the ground is still poor. Deep and sunny middle layers were largely covered with snow before the snowfall.
Tendency
No significant change in avalanche danger.
Danger level
2000m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
2000m
Persistent weak layer
2000m
Beware fresh snowdrifts
Fresh small-sized snowdrift accumulations are prone to triggering. Danger zones occur primarily on steep ridgeline slopes and in wind-loaded gullies and bowls. Frequency and spread of avalanche prone locations increase with ascending altitude. In addition, in avalanches on shady slopes fracture down to deeper layers inside the snowpqck they can in isolated cases grow to large size. Such danger zones occur primarily in spots where the snow is shallow and in transitions from shallow to deep snow.
Snowpack
Tendency
Avalanche danger is not expected to change significantly. Caution urged towards fresh snowdrifts.
Danger level
1800m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
1800m
Persistent weak layer
2000m
More new fallen snow than expected. Watch out for fresh wind slab in the higher elevations!
The avalanche risk is moderate at high altitudes. In the high altitudes, there is fresh wind slab due to new fallen snow and wind influence in exposed areas, which must be observed in steep terrain. Slab avalanches can be triggered in places by small additional loads. Due to the local old snow problem, attention must still be paid to steep terrain on shady slopes at high altitudes and transitions from little to more snow. Only isolated slab avalanches can still be triggered here by large additional loads.
Snowpack
Depending on the altitude and aspect, the snowpack is differently developed on the surface, partly crusted, partly less stabilised and often moist up to high altitudes in the interior and wet towards the ground. The snow base, fundament remains high and weakened on shady slopes. Low and widespread middle elevations are bare, in some places there is only a little snow. Depending on the altitude and aspect, the snowpack is differently developed on the surface, partly crusted, partly less stabilised and often moist up to high altitudes in the interior and wet towards the ground. The snow base, fundament remains high and weakened on shady slopes. Low and widespread middle elevations are bare, in some places there is only a little snow.
Tendency
Despite some new fallen snow, the avalanche situation hardly changes.
Danger level
1600m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
1600m
New snow
1800m
Persistent weak layer
1800m
New fallen snow with wind
A cold front with precipitation and north-easterly winds moved through the mountains on Monday evening. A total of 5 to 20 cm of dry snow is expected to fall by Monday morning. At the same time, a strong north to north-easterly wind will blow, building up snow accumulations on the southern sides. New fallen snow will be less able to adhere to the older snow base. The danger will be higher especially on sloping terrain and in gullies, where the new fallen snow will be higher due to snow accumulations.
In addition to new fallen snow, weak layers in the snowpack deeper in the snowpack are a problem. These weak layers are more prevalent in the axis above the forest. In particular, a large avalanche can be triggered if the load exceeds the load-bearing capacity of these layers.
Snowpack
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
Showers occurred at the end of the week. Snowfall ranged from 5 to 20 cm, which in many places became slushy. During the snowfall, there was also some local fall of graupel, which can form a new weak layer. As the weather cools, the older snow base will freeze. By Monday morning, 5 to 20 cm of dry snow will have fallen on hard ground.
In the old snow cover, the layers of snow are mostly well connected, with a Crust at the top that can mostly support the skier's weight. Deep below the surface, there are several weak layers of shreds and sheared grains.
Tendency
Wednesday will be very windy and cold. The wind will carry snow and build up snowdrifts. On Thursday it will clear, with only a slight decrease in wind.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Persistent weak layer
2000m
Pay attention to fresh wind slab, avalanche prone locations in persistent weak layers are rare but have serious consequences
The avalanche risk is moderate above the tree line and low below.
In the aspects from west to south-east, avalanches can easily be triggered by individuals in wind slabs. Danger areas are located behind terrain edges as well as in steep gullies and bowls and in the forest boundary area. Avalanches can occasionally reach medium size, and avalanches can occasionally become large when tearing through deeper weak layers in the persistent weak layer.
Above 2000 m, in the aspects from west to north to east, medium and occasionally large, dry slab avalanches can still be triggered by individuals in a few places. Such avalanche prone locations are rare but often not recognisable in the terrain. Take particular care at the transitions from little to more snow.
In sunlight, small loose snow avalanches can usually be triggered from extremely steep slopes.
Snowpack
5 to 20 cm of new fallen snow is lying on a thin layer of new and wind slab snow from the past few days. Beneath this lies soft, faceted snow in shady high areas. Otherwise, there is often a thin melt-freeze crust under the thin layer of fresh snow. Deeper in the snowpack, faceted crystals can be found on a crust; close to the ground, the snowpack consists of angular, cup-shaped crystals. The connection at the transition to the deep snowpack near the ground is still poor. Deep and sunny middle layers were largely snowed out before the snowfall.
Tendency
No significant change in avalanche danger.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Persistent weak layer
2000m
Fresh wind slab in the high altitudes!
The avalanche risk is moderate above the tree line and low below. The main danger is fresh wind slabs in the north, east and south aspects. Adjacent to ridgelines, behind terrain edges and in entrances to steep gullies and bowls, smaller slab avalanches can sometimes be triggered by individuals. Medium-sized avalanches are also possible in the northern sector.
Snowpack
The snow base, fundament is largely stable and isothermal. Only in shady high altitudes does floating snow weaken the snow layering. Fresh wind slabs are forming on the surface, some of which contain weak layers.
Tendency
Hardly any more showers on Wednesday, but still windy and rather cool. Thursday will bring mostly sunny weather. Hardly any change in the avalanche danger.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Persistent weak layer
2000m
At high altitudes, there is a slight danger from weak layers in the persistent weak layer in addition to the wind slab.
The avalanche risk is moderate above the tree line and low below. Fresh wind slab is the main problem. In places, small to medium slab avalanches can be triggered with a small additional load. This is possible above all in steep terrain adjacent to ridgelines in the north, east and south aspects as well as in gullies and bowls. The number and extent of avalanche prone locations increase with altitude. On shady slopes at high altitudes, avalanches can also penetrate to deep layers in persistent weak layers.
The new fallen snow can detach itself from the steep terrain interspersed with rocks as a small loose snow avalanche and slide down on the crusted old snowpack.
Snowpack
It will snow in the night to Tuesday, accompanied by stormy winds from the north-west, especially east of the Lech. The snow will be transported and fresh, prone-to-triggering snowdrift accumulations will form. At higher altitudes, these are partly on soft layers of snow or older wind slabs. On shady slopes at higher altitudes, weak layers of faceted crystals can be found deep in the otherwise compact old snowpack. At low altitudes and on the southern sides of the middle elevations, the new fallen snow falls widely on the apery ground.
Tendency
Slow decline in the drifting snow problem over the next few days.
Danger level
1800m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
1800m
Beware small fresh snowdrifts: prone to triggering
Avalanche danger above the timberline is moderate, below that altitude danger is low. Fresh snowdrift accumulations require caution. Danger zones occur primarily in steep ridgeline terrain and in wind-loaded gullies and bowls. If avalanches on high-altitude shady slopes fracture down to deeper weak layers, they can in isolated cases then grow to larger size. Apart from the risks of being buried in snow masses, the danger of being swept along and forced to take a fall require caution.
Snowpack
The most recent fresh snow from the weekend has already bonded well with the widespread melt-freeze crusts. Fresh snowdrifts have been generated near ridgelines. The mid-level part of the snowpack consists of well-settled, compact layers widespread which on high-altitude shady slopes cover a poorly structured old snowpack fundament.
Tendency
Avalanche danger will continue to diminish gradually.
Danger level
2000m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2000m
Wind slab
1800m
Pay attention to fresh wind slab in exposed higher altitudes!
The avalanche risk is predominantly low. In the high altitudes, there is fresh wind slab due to new fallen snow and wind influence in exposed locations, which must be observed in steep terrain and can easily be addressed locally. Due to the local old snow problem, steep terrain on shady slopes in the high altitudes and transitions from little to more snow must still be observed. Only isolated slab avalanches can still be triggered here by large additional loads.
Snowpack
Due to moderate to sometimes strong winds in the exposed high altitudes and new fallen snow, fresh snowdrift accumulations prone to triggering can form. Depending on the altitude and aspect, the old snowpack varies on the surface, sometimes hard, crusted, sometimes less stabilised and often moist up to high altitudes and wet towards the ground. The snow base, fundament is high and partly weakened on shady slopes. Low and widespread middle elevations are bare, in some places there is only a little snow.
Tendency
Despite some new fallen snow, the avalanche situation hardly changes.
Danger level
1400m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
1400m
Beware of fresh wind slab, note persistent weak layer problem in shady high altitudes.
The avalanche risk is still low. The snowfall on Monday and during the night from Monday to Tuesday will mostly fall below around 1500 metres on loose ground.
In the higher altitudes, small drift snow packs may form in gullies and bowls due to the occasional strong winds, which can be triggered by individual winter sports enthusiasts. Continue to exercise caution in steep, on shady slopes, where small slab avalanches are still possible in persistent weak layers.
Snowpack
The snowpack is mostly stable. Due to the clear nights of the last few days, a melt-freeze crust has repeatedly formed on the surface. In shady high-altitude areas, large faceted crystals are still present in the persistent weak layer in places, weakening the snow base, fundament. There are also grains of sleet on the surface in some places which, in combination with fresh, wind-blown snow, act locally as a weak layer. There is little snow below around 1400 metres and below around 1600 metres on the sunny slopes.
Tendency
On Wednesday, residual clouds and the last flakes at first, increasingly sunny during the day but still very windy. Thursday will bring mostly sunny weather. Watch out for wind slab and persistent weak layers.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Persistent weak layer
2000m
Low avalanche danger, but still isolated avalanche prone locations due to fresh pillows of wind drifted snow!
The avalanche risk is low. Nevertheless, above the tree line, fresh pillows of wind drifted snow can occasionally be triggered by individuals as small slab avalanches. Avalanche prone locations are adjacent to ridgelines and entrances to gullies and bowls, primarily in the north, east and south sectors.
Snowpack
The snow base, fundament is largely stable and isothermal. Only in shady high altitudes does floating snow occasionally weaken the snow layering. Fresh wind slabs are forming on the surface on a small scale.
Tendency
Hardly any more showers on Wednesday, but still windy and rather cool. Thursday will bring mostly sunny weather. Hardly any change in the avalanche danger.
Danger level
1800m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
1800m
Take into account persistent weak layers and avoid small-scale pillows of wind drifted snow
The avalanche risk is low. Medium-sized slab avalanches can still be triggered in a few hard-to-recognise places, especially in the extended northern sector above 1800 m, but usually only with a large additional load. This is in particular at the transitions from little to more snow. Fresh, small-scale pillows of wind drifted snow in the areas adjacent to the ridgeline, crest or summit of the extended northern and eastern exposures are temporarily prone to triggering.
Snowpack
The little new and wind slab snow lies in shady high altitudes on a soft, faceted snow surface. Otherwise, there is often a thin melt-freeze crust under the thin layer of new snow. Deeper in the snowpack, faceted crystals can be found on a crust; close to the ground, the snowpack consists of angular, cup-shaped crystals. The connection at the transition to the deep snowpack near the ground is still poor. Deep and sunny middle layers are largely snowed out.
Tendency
No significant change in avalanche danger.
Danger level
Low risk of isolated wet snow avalanches
The avalanche risk is low.
Small slab avalanches can be triggered in the shaded steep terrain adjacent to ridgelines by slight additional load in the wind slab. In addition, in the entrance areas of steep gullies on shady slopes with large additional loads, small slabs of snow can also be triggered occasionally. The risk of being swept along and falling on icy surfaces that may be thinly covered with snow and therefore difficult to recognise generally outweighs the risk of burial.
Snowpack
5 to 15 cm of new fallen snow has fallen at low altitude and in sunny mid-altitudes on apery ground. Where there was still a snowpack, it is often well set, but 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. Weak layers of overblown new fallen snow can be addressed on a small scale.
