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 to north to north-east aspects. Slab avalanches can be triggered with little additional load and usually remain small. In rare cases, slabs can be triggered with a large additional load in deep-lying weak layers and reach medium size.
Snowpack
At high altitudes, weak layers of faceted crystals have formed near the surface. Snow on the surface is only soft in leeward and shady areas. There is hardly any snow in the Berchtesgaden Alps during the forecast period. Layers close to the ground at high altitudes consist of larger, angular, soft crystals. The overlying old snowpack is well stabilised.
Tendency
The avalanche risk increases with new fallen snow and wind.
Danger level
2000m
Avalanche Problem
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 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 avalanches can be triggered from extremely steep, sunny terrain.
Snowpack
South foehn forms fresh pillows of wind drifted snow. The older snowdrift accumulations have mostly 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
New fallen snow and wind are causing a significant increase in avalanche risk.
Danger level
2000m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2000m
Wind slab
Treeline
In the second half of the day, the wind slab problem comes to the fore in places.
The avalanche risk is moderate above 2000 metres and low below that. Persistent weak layers are problematic. The few avalanche prone locations are in very steep terrain in the north-west to north to north-east aspects. Slab avalanches can be triggered with little additional load. They usually remain small. In rare cases, slab avalanches can be triggered with a large additional load in deep-lying weak layers and reach medium size.
During the daytime changes, wind slabs become a problem above the tree line. Avalanche prone locations are in the steep terrain adjacent to ridgelines in the north-west, north to south-east aspects as well as in gullies and bowls. Small snow slabs can be triggered with little additional load.
Snowpack
In the higher elevations, weak layers of faceted crystals have formed near the surface. The snow on the surface is only soft in leeward and shady areas. In the second half of the day, it will start to snow with gale-force winds in places. In some places, fresh wind slab comes to rest on soft snow and is prone to triggering. Layers close to the ground at high altitudes consist of larger, soft crystals. The overlying old snowpack is well stabilised. At medium elevations, the new fallen snow falls mainly on the south-facing side of the apery ground, otherwise on a predominantly moist old snowpack.
Tendency
The wind slab problem is increasing. The risk of avalanches is increasing.
Danger level
2000m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2000m
Moderate avalanche danger once again at higher altitudes!
The avalanche danger remains 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, often capable of bearing loads and moist up to high altitudes on the inside. Only at higher altitudes and on shady slopes is the snow base, fundament partly weakened. Low and sunny middle locations are bare.
Tendency
Snowfall, sometimes heavy, and strong to stormy winds significantly increase the risk of avalanches.
Danger level
2200m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2200m
Wind slab
2400m
Caution: small snowdrifts
As a result of intensifying winds, small-sized freshly generated snowdrift accumulations can be triggered as small-to-medium sized slab avalanches. Danger zones occur primarily behind steep drops in the terrain and in wind-loaded gullies and bowls. Frequency and spread of avalanche prone locations increase with ascending altitude. Furthermore, avalanches can fracture in weak layers of the old snow from large additional loading and 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 snowdrifts which will be generated during the course of the day on Wednesday will be deposited on top of an unfavorable old snowpack surrace. No further releases have been reported from the somewhat older snow triggering. 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
A marked cold front will bring fresh snowfall and wind. Avalanche danger will increase.
Danger level
2000m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2000m
Note the persistent weak layer!
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 be triggered in the persistent weak layer (near the surface) in a few places above 2000 metres. The avalanche prone locations are very steep, shady areas adjacent to ridgelines, behind terrain edges and in entrances to gullies and bowls. Occasionally they can travel through to layers close to the ground. Take particular care at the transition from a little to a lot of snow, the avalanche prone locations are not recognisable in the terrain.
During the daytime changes, small, wet loose snow slides can form on extremely steep, sunny terrain.
Snowpack
In places, there is still older wind slab, which is only prone to triggering in isolated areas. With southerly foehn, thin pillows of wind drifted snow can form at high altitudes. Weak layers in the form of faceted crystals in the area of crusts are present in places 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. Warmth and sunlight lead to the snowpack becoming moist. Deep and sunny middle layers are bare.
Tendency
Onset of winter! With new fallen snow and widespread stormy winds, the avalanche danger increases significantly!
Danger level
1800m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
1800m
Wind slab
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
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
New fallen snow and wind are causing a significant increase in avalanche risk.
Danger level
1800m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
1800m
Beware small snowdrifts
Avalanche danger is predominantly low. As winds intensify, however, fresh small-sized drifts can easily be triggered as small avalanches, particularly near ridgelines and behind sharp drops in the terrain. 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
A marked cold front will bring fresh snowfall and wind. Avalanche danger will increase.
Danger level
Low avalanche danger!
The avalanche danger remains 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 different surface characteristics, often load-bearing 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
Snowfall, sometimes heavy, and strong to stormy winds significantly increase the risk of avalanches.
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 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
New fallen snow and wind are causing a significant increase in avalanche risk.
Danger level
Beware of fresh wind slab, watch out for persistent weak layer problems in shady high altitudes.
Low avalanche danger
The avalanche risk is still low on Wednesday.
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 be triggered here in isolated cases.
Snowpack
The snowpack is mostly stable. A well-developed and mostly stable melt-freeze crust is covered by thin pillows of wind drifted snow in some gullies and bowls. Older pillows of wind drifted snow are usually well bonded to the ground.
Tendency
A cold front will bring stormy winds, a drop in temperature and heavy snowfall in places during the night to Thursday. From Wednesday evening to Saturday morning, widespread amounts of new snow in excess of 40 cm are to be expected. At higher altitudes, these will be heavily transported by the stormy winds. The snowfall level will mostly be at low altitudes.
The risk of avalanches will increase significantly.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Avalanche prone locations are more common in the western regions.
The avalanche risk is low. Wind slabs above the tree line can be problematic, especially during the daytime changes. The few avalanche prone locations are in the steep terrain adjacent to ridgelines in the north-west, north to south-east aspects as well as in gullies and bowls. Small snow slabs can be triggered with little additional load.
Snowpack
The old snowpack is generally well stabilised and slightly damp. In particular in the western regions, it will start to snow during the day with stormy winds. Fresh wind slab snow will come to rest on soft snow on the northern sides of higher elevations and is prone to triggering in places. Otherwise, the new fallen snow will mainly fall on the bare ground.
Tendency
The risk of avalanches is increasing with the forecast fresh snowfall.
Danger level
1900m
Avalanche Problem
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.
With daytime warming and incoming radiation, the triggering of small, wet avalanches on very steep sunny slopes increases somewhat.
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. Warmth and solar radiation lead to the moistening of the snowpack.
Tendency
Onset of winter! With new fallen snow and widespread stormy winds, the risk of avalanches is increasing!
