Danger level

2200m

Persistent weak layer

2200m

In the higher elevations there are weak layers near the surface.

The avalanche risk is moderate above 2200 metres and low below that. Persistent weak layers are problematic. The few avalanche prone locations are in very steep terrain in the north-west, north to north-east aspects. Slab avalanches can be triggered with little additional load and usually remain small. 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. Sunlight can trigger small, wet loose snow avalanches from extremely steep terrain.

Snowpack

On shady slopes at higher altitudes (above 1500 m), weak layers can be found under older wind slabs in some places. At higher altitudes, soft layers close to the ground consist of larger, angular, sometimes rounded faceted crystals. The overlying old snowpack is well stabilised. The little new fallen snow becomes moist with the sunlight and loses firmness. In shady, wind-protected areas at high altitudes, it remains powdery. Overall, there is little snow and the south-facing slopes are thinning out more and more.

Tendency

With new fallen snow and stormy winds, the avalanche risk increases in the second half of the week.

Danger level

2000m

Persistent weak layer

2000m

Give priority to weak persistent layers!

The avalanche risk is moderate above around 2000 metres and low below that. In the aspects from west to north to east, mostly medium-sized, dry slab avalanches can still be triggered in persistent weak layers in a few places above 2000 metres. The avalanche prone locations are steep, shady areas adjacent to ridgelines, behind terrain edges and in entrances to gullies and bowls. Be especially careful at the transition from a little to a lot of snow, the avalanche prone locations are not recognisable in the terrain. Occasionally, avalanches can still be triggered in wind slabs at higher altitudes, in particular in the aspects from north-west to north-north to north-east, sometimes travelling through into the persistent weak layer and becoming larger. During the daytime changes, small wet loose snow slides can be triggered from extremely steep, sunny terrain.

Snowpack

In places, there is still older wind slab that is only prone to triggering in isolated areas. Weak layers in the form of faceted crystals in the area of crusts are occasionally present in the transition to the persistent weak layer and in the persistent weak layer itself. Close to the ground, floating snow (large cup crystals) still weakens the snowpack in places. Deep and sunny middle layers are bare.

Tendency

On Wednesday, it will once again be sunny and largely dry, with temperatures rising slightly. Until then, the avalanche risk will decrease slightly. From Thursday, a massive onset of winter and an increase in avalanche risk is to be expected!

Danger level

1800m

Wind slab		1800m
Persistent weak layer		1800m

Freshly blown snow

In recent days, small snow showers have been occurring in the mountains. The old snow base has 5 to 20 cm of snow, with slightly more in the Kamnik-Savinja Alps and the Karavanke Mountains. The fresh snow was carried by a strong north-easterly wind, which built up new snow layers on the southern and western sides. The new fallen snow has not yet adhered to the older snow base. The danger is higher especially on sloping terrain and in ravines where the new fallen snow depths are higher due to snow accumulations. In addition to new fallen snow, weak layers in the snowpack deeper in the snowpack may 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. 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 sheared grains.

Tendency

The danger of snow will remain similar.

Danger level

2000m

Persistent weak layer

2000m

Few avalanche prone locations in the high altitudes!

The avalanche risk is moderate at high altitudes. In the extended northern sector in particular, there are still localised avalanche prone locations, 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 steep terrain.

Snowpack

The snowpack is predominantly stable, with different characteristics on the surface depending on altitude and aspect, and moist up to high altitudes in the centre. Only at higher altitudes and on shady slopes is the snow base, fundament partially weakened. Low and sunny middle elevations are bare.

Tendency

No significant change for the time being.

Danger level

2000m

Persistent weak layer

2000m

Avalanche prone locations in persistent weak layers are rare but have serious consequences

The avalanche risk is moderate above 2000 m and low below that. Above 2000 m, avalanches of medium size can still be triggered in a few places in the aspects from west to north to east due to low additional loads. If triggered in deep weak layers, avalanches can occasionally become large. Although avalanche prone locations are rare, they are not recognisable in the terrain. Be especially careful at the transitions from little to more snow. Occasionally, avalanches can still be triggered by individuals in wind slabs at high altitudes. Danger areas are located in shady steep terrain. Avalanches can tear through to deeper weak layers. During the daytime changes, small wet loose snow slides can be triggered from extremely steep, sunny terrain.

Snowpack

Snowdrift accumulations have usually settled well, but they lie on a weak layer near the surface (faceted crystals on a crust). 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 frost near the ground is still poor. Deep and sunny middle layers are bare.

Tendency

Little change for the time being. With a cold front bringing significant amounts of new snow, the danger will increase from Wednesday afternoon.

Danger level

2200m

Wind slab		2200m
Persistent weak layer		2200m

Fresh snowdrifts on north-facing slopes still prone to triggering

Snowdrifts generated over the last few days 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. As a result of strong solar radiation, small wet loose-snow avalanches can trigger in extremely steep terrain.

Snowpack

Fresh snowdrift accumulations from Sunday lie atop an unfavorable old snowpack surface on north-facing slopes. They are mostly small-sized and shallow, apart from high alpine regions. 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 which then softens up during daytime hours. 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. But as the cold front hits Wednesday night, danger will increase.

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 thin pillows of wind drifted snow 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 and mostly stable melt-freeze crust is covered in places by thin pillows of wind drifted snow. Older pillows of wind drifted snow are usually well bonded to the subsoil.

Tendency

On Wednesday, it will remain quite sunny and dry during the day. The temperature rises significantly and the risk of avalanches remains low. In the night to Thursday, a cold front will bring stormy winds, a drop in temperature and heavy snowfall in places. The snowfall level drops rapidly and is mostly at low altitudes. From Thursday to Sunday, large amounts of new snow are expected in the mountains. The risk of avalanches will therefore increase significantly.

Danger level

On shady slopes at higher altitudes, there are still connected snow fields.

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. Only on the northern sides of higher elevations is the snow still dry on the surface. Overall, there is little snow, the southern sides are largely snowed out.

Tendency

With new fallen snow and wind, the avalanche risk increases slightly in the second half of the week.

Danger level

1900m

Persistent weak layer

1900m

Low avalanche danger, but still isolated avalanche prone locations in the persistent weak layer!

The avalanche risk is generally low. Nevertheless, there are individual avalanche prone locations, in particular behind terrain edges and in entrances to higher, steep, shady gullies and bowls. Small to medium-sized slab avalanches can occasionally be triggered by individuals.

Snowpack

On the surface, older wind slab snow can be found in places, which is usually sufficiently connected to the old snowpack. The snow base, fundament is often stable. Only in shady high altitudes does floating snow (cup crystals) continue to weaken the snow layering in places.

Tendency

On Wednesday, it will once again be sunny and largely dry, with temperatures rising slightly. Until then, the risk of avalanches will decrease slightly. From Thursday, a massive onset of winter and an increase in avalanche risk is to be expected!

Danger level

Low avalanche danger!

The avalanche risk is predominantly low. There are only a few avalanche prone locations 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

The old snowpack is predominantly stable, with varying degrees of surface development and moist up to high altitudes in the centre. At very high altitudes, the snow base, fundament is occasionally weakened. There is only a little snow left.

Tendency

No significant change for the time being.

Danger level

2000m

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 occasionally be triggered by individuals in wind slabs, in particular in shady steep terrain. 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 on crusts can also be found 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

Little change for the time being. With a cold front bringing significant amounts of new snow, the danger will increase from Wednesday afternoon.

Danger level

1800m

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 evident widespread, 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. But as the cold front hits Wednesday night, danger will increase.

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

Little change for the time being. With a cold front bringing significant amounts of new snow, the danger will increase from Wednesday afternoon.