The avalanche risk is moderate above around 1900 metres and low below. Avalanche prone locations are steep, shady areas adjacent to ridgelines, behind terrain edges and in entrances to gullies and bowls. Here, medium-sized slab avalanches can be triggered by individuals, especially at the transition from little to much snow.
Snowpack
The snow base, fundament is largely stable, but in shady areas at high altitudes, floating snow continues to weaken the snow layering. Older wind slabs can be found on the surface in places.
Tendency
Saturday will bring clouds with some new fallen snow. The avalanche danger will hardly change.
Danger level
2200m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
2200m
Persistent weak layer
2200m
Fresh snowdrifts on north-facing slopes prone to triggering
Freshly generated and, in places, older snowdrifts are frequently still prone to triggering, can be triggered as small-to-medium sized slab avalanches. Danger zones occur primarily on steep ridgeline north-facing slopes, behind steep drops in the terrain and in wind-loaded gullies and bowls. Frequency and spread of avalanche prone locations increase with ascending altitude, in high alpine regions they include west, east-facing slopes as well. If avalanches on high-altitude shady slopes fracture down to deeper weak layers, they can in isolated cases then grow to medium size. Such isolated avalanche prone locations occur in spots where the snow is shallow or in transitions from shallow to deep snow.
Snowpack
Fresh snowdrift accumulations from yesterday lie atop an unfavorable old snowpack surface on north-facing slopes. They are mostly small-sized and shallow, apart from high alpine regions, but will be difficult to recognize on Monday. Somewhat deeper snowdrifsts were generated particularly at high altitudes. On steep south-facing slopes there is often a melt-freeze crust capable of bearing loads. 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 not expected to change significantly until Wednesday, due to high-pressure weather conditions.
Danger level
1600m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
1600m
Persistent weak layer
1800m
Freshly blown snow
Snowfall in the mountains has ranged from 5 to 20 cm in recent days, with slightly more in the Kamnik-Savinja Alps and the Karavanke Mountains. At the same time, a strong north-easterly wind has been blowing, carrying fresh snow and building up new snow layers in the south and west. The new fallen snow was less able to adhere to the older snow base. The danger is higher especially on slopes and in gullies where the height of the New fallen snow is greater due to the snow layering.
In addition to new fallen snow, weak layers in the snowpack deeper in the snowpack can be a problem in places. 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.4: cold following warm / warm following cold
As the weather cooled, the older snow base froze. Dry and light snow, carried by the wind, has fallen on harder ground. During the snowfall, the local fall of Graupel, which can form a new weak layer, has also occurred. Due to the influence of the sun, the snow on the Sunny slopes has already become black and froze during the night. On Sunday, due to increased cloud cover, the snow will be mostly absent, with the exception of lower elevations.
In the old snow cover, the layers of snow are mostly well connected, with a Crust on top that can mostly support the weight of a pedestrian. Deep below the surface, there are several weak layers of shreds and truncated grains.
Tendency
Monday will be moderately cloudy with occasional sunny spells. Some variable cloud during the day, with some snow showers not ruled out. It will be slightly warmer. The danger of avalanches will remain similar.
Danger level
2200m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2200m
Be careful, especially on shady slopes and extremely steep terrain!
The avalanche risk is moderate above 2200 metres and low below that. Persistent weak layers are problematic. Avalanche prone locations are in very steep terrain with aspects from north-west to north to north-east. Small slab avalanches can occasionally be triggered there with little additional load. In rare cases, snow slabs can be triggered with a large additional load, for example by a small, superficial avalanche, in deep-lying weak layers and then reach medium size.
When exposed to sunlight, small, wet loose snow avalanches can be triggered from extremely steep terrain.
Snowpack
At higher altitudes (above 1500 m), weak layers can be found under older wind slabs on shady slopes in some places. At high altitudes, layers of large, gritty crystals are preserved deep in the compact old snowpack. These layers usually consist of rounded, angular grain shapes. On the northern sides of higher elevations, the snow is still powdery on the surface in areas sheltered from the wind. Overall, there is little snow, while the south-facing slopes are becoming more and more pale.
Tendency
The avalanche danger hardly changes.
Danger level
2000m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2000m
Wind slab
2200m
Avalanche prone locations in persistent weak layers are rare but have serious consequences, snowdrift accumulations are still prone to triggering at altitude
The avalanche risk is moderate above 2000 metres and low below that.
Above 2200 m, avalanches can still be triggered by individuals in wind slabs, in particular in aspects from north-west to north to north-east. Danger areas are easily recognisable, they are located behind terrain edges and in steep gullies and bowls. Avalanches can reach medium size and occasionally become large if they tear through 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 in the persistent weak layer in a few places with little additional load. Although such avalanche prone locations are rare, they are not recognisable in the terrain. Be especially careful at the transitions from little to more snow.
During the daytime changes, small wet loose snow slides can be triggered from extremely steep, sunny terrain.
Snowpack
Fresh and older wind slab snow is still prone to triggering in places (on shady slopes, in high alpine locations also on sunny slopes). Faceted crystals on a crust serve as a weak layer near the surface below the wind slab. Faceted crystals on crusts can also be found deeper in the snowpack; near 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 bare.
Tendency
Gradual settlement of the snowdrift accumulations.
Danger level
2000m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2000m
Wind slab
2000m
Pay attention to a few avalanche prone locations at high altitudes!
The avalanche risk is moderate at high altitudes. There are still localised avalanche prone locations, particularly in the extended northern sector, especially adjacent to ridgelines, behind terrain edges and in steep bowls and gullies. Locally, older snowdrift accumulations or weak layers in the old snowpack can still be found in a few places in the terrain.
Snowpack
Older snowdrift accumulations are still present at higher altitudes. The snowpack is mostly stable, up to high altitudes in the centre it is partly moist. At high altitudes and on shady slopes, the snow base, fundament is partly weakened.
Tendency
No significant change.
Danger level
1900m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
1900m
Low avalanche danger, but individual avalanche prone locations due to wind slab!
The avalanche risk is generally low. Nevertheless, there are individual avalanche prone locations, in particular adjacent to ridgelines, behind terrain edges and in entrances to steep, shady gullies and bowls where medium-sized slab avalanches can be triggered by individuals.
Snowpack
The snow base, fundament is largely stable. On the surface, there is older wind slab in places, which is usually well bonded to the snow base, fundament. Only in shady high altitudes does floating snow weaken the snow layering.
Tendency
Saturday will bring clouds with some new fallen snow. The avalanche danger will hardly change.
Danger level
The southern sides are largely covered in snow.
The avalanche risk is low. On the northern sides of the highest peaks and areas adjacent to the summit and ridge, older snowdrift accumulations with low additional loads can be triggered as small slab avalanches.
Snowpack
Older wind slab snow has usually bonded well with the old snow surface. In the highest areas adjacent to the ridgeline, crest or summit, it can still be prone to triggering on shady slopes. The snowpack is generally well stabilised and slightly moist. The snow is still powdery on the surface on steep north-facing slopes at higher altitudes. Overall there is little snow, the south-facing slopes are largely snowed out.
Tendency
The avalanche danger does not change.
Danger level
2000m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2000m
Note the persistent weak layer
The avalanche risk is low. Above 2000 m, medium slab avalanches can be triggered in a few places in the aspects from west to north to east, in particular due to large additional loads. Such avalanche prone locations are rare but not recognisable in the terrain. Take particular care at the transitions from little to more snow.
In summit locations, avalanches can still be triggered by individuals in wind slabs, in particular in the aspects from north-west to north to north-east. Danger areas are easily recognisable, avalanches remain small. The risk of falling generally outweighs the risk of burial.
Snowpack
Snowdrift accumulations have mostly stabilised well up to high altitudes. Occasionally, faceted layers can be found underneath drift snow packs. Faceted crystals can also be found on crusts deeper in the snowpack, while the snowpack near the ground 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 bare.
Tendency
No significant change.
Danger level
Mostly favourable conditions with little snow
The avalanche risk is low. In the entrance areas of steep gullies on shady slopes, snow slabs can occasionally be triggered in persistent weak layers. The risk of being swept away and falling on icy surfaces that may be thinly covered with snow and therefore difficult to recognise generally outweighs the risk of burial.
Snowpack
New snow and wind slab have stabilised well. In the higher on shady slopes, there are still weak layers of large faceted crystals in the lower part of the snowpack, especially close to the ground. Low and sunny mid-altitude areas are bare.
Tendency
No significant change in avalanche danger.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Pay attention to exposed steep terrain at high altitudes!
The avalanche risk is mostly low. Nevertheless, there are a few avalanche prone locations due to wind slab. Occasionally, slab avalanches can still be triggered in the ridgeline and summit area, behind terrain edges and in steep bowls and gullies. The persistent weak layer problem can only occur very rarely on shady slopes and high up in extreme terrain.
Snowpack
In the ridgelines and summits, there are still older snowdrift accumulations in places. The old snowpack is mostly stable, up to high altitudes in the centre it is partly moist. At very high altitudes, the snow base, fundament is occasionally weakened.
Tendency
Despite some new fallen snow, the avalanche situation hardly changes.
Danger level
1800m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
1800m
Beware small snowdrifts
Avalanche danger is predominantly low. Caution is urged towards older snowdrift accumulations particularly in ridgeline terrain on north-facing slopes and in wind-loaded gullies and bowls. In addition, isolated avalanches can be triggered by large additional loading in extremely steep terrain. Apart from the risks of being buried in snow masses, the danger of being swept along and forced to take a fall require attentiveness.
Snowpack
The small, shallow snowdrifts generated on steep shady slopes have bonded only poorly with the old snowpack surface. On steeper shady slopes, a melt-freeze crust capable of bearing loads is often evident, this softens up during daytime hours. The old snowpack is generally well-settled and compact.
Tendency
Avalanche danger not expected to change significantly until Wednesday, due to high-pressure weather conditions.
Danger level
Beware of fresh wind slab, watch out for persistent weak layer problems in shady high altitudes.
Generally low avalanche danger
The avalanche risk is still low.
Avalanche prone locations are mainly limited to older snowdrift accumulations in extremely steep entrances to shady gullies and bowls. Small slab avalanches can occasionally be triggered here.
Snowpack
The snowpack is mostly stable. A well-developed melt-freeze crust is covered in places by older wind slab, which is usually well bonded to the subsoil.
Tendency
Tuesday and Wednesday will be quite sunny and dry, with temperatures rising again slightly. The avalanche risk will remain low until then.
A late onset of winter and an increase in avalanche risk is expected on Thursday.
