On Wednesday, precipitation started to fall in the north during the night. The snowfall level was initially at around 1500 m and quickly dropped. The snow weakened temporarily at midday on Thursday. After the passage of a cold front, a strong northerly wind blew, carrying New fallen snow and building up new snow layers on the southern flanks. A total of 15-30 cm of new fallen snow fell in the mountains.
New fallen snow and blown snow are the main dangers. Danger is increased especially on slopes and in gullies where the height of the New fallen snow is greater due to snow accumulations.
In addition to new fallen snow, weak layers in the snowpack deeper in the snowpack can be a local 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.4: cold following warm / warm following cold
15-30 cm of dry and light snow fell in the mountains. A strong northerly wind blew in with the snow, blowing the snow down to the old base in many places. New fallen snow is only slowly consolidating with the old base. Ridges and peaks are blown down to the old base, in some places there is little old base. During the previous snowfall, there was some local fall of Graupel, which is a potentially dangerous weak layer. Locally, the layers of Graupel are 5-10 cm thick, possibly more.
In old snow cover, the snow layers are mostly well connected. Deep below the surface, several weak layers of faceted snow crystals and sheared grains occur, especially on the axial sides.
Tendency
In the coming days, the weather will be changeable with cloudy and partly clear periods, and some showers may occur. It will be relatively cool for this part of the year, with moderate northerly winds. The danger of avalanches will remain similar.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Gliding snow
2000m
Wind can cause a risk of slipping snow.
The avalanche risk is considerable above the tree line and low below it. The main problem is fresh wind slab. Slab avalanches can be triggered with little additional load. This is possible above the tree line in the steep terrain adjacent to ridgelines in the north to east to south aspects as well as in gullies and bowls in many places. Avalanches reach medium size.
Smaller gliding avalanches can detach themselves on individual, very steep, sunny slopes.
Snowpack
As the front approaches, the wind picks up from the north-west and it starts to snow. The new fallen snow comes to rest on a soft snow surface. Prone to triggering snowdrift accumulations develop on leeward slopes. In addition, weak intermediate layers in the area of melting snow caps and graupel are embedded in the upper metre of the snowpack in places. The snowpack base is compact and largely stable. Deep-lying layers of faceted crystals are difficult to disturb. On the south side, the snow is often wet towards the ground. Sliding movements on smooth ground are possible.
Tendency
The avalanche situation will remain tense for the next few days.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Gliding snow
2000m
Main problem: fresh snowdrifts
Avalanche danger above the treeline is considerable, below that altitude danger is low. Fresh snowdrift accumulations are easily triggered. Slabs can be triggered by minimum additional loading and grow to medium-sized releases. Settling noises when treading the snowpack and fractures on the surface can indicate imminent danger. Danger zones occur in wind-loaded steep terrain, behind sharp drops in the landscape, in gullies and bowls. The snowdrift accumulations generated on Sunday are blanketed by fresher snow, thus impossible to recognize. On very steep sunny grass-covered slopes, glide-snow avalanches can slide away and grow to medium size.
Snowpack
The fresh snow and snowdrifts from Wednesday and Thursday have been able to settle and consolidate somewhat. On steep sunny slopes the fresh snow is already slightly moist and encrusted. As a result of northerly winds, 5-15cm of fresh snow was registered on Sunday, generating mostly small-sized trigger-sensitive snowdrift accumulations. These will expand further on Monday daytime due to strong NW winds and fresh snowfall. In the uppermost third of the snowpack are weak intermediate layers and graupel. The old snowpack is generally well consolidated and compact.
Tendency
As a result of fresh snow and wind, avalanche danger will increase on Monday night.
Danger level
1200m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
1200m
Pay attention to prone to triggering snow packs!
Above 1200 metres there is still a considerable avalanche risk (level 3). The strong to stormy winds are causing extensive snowdrift accumulations. These are prone to triggering, especially above the tree line and in forest aisles. The avalanche prone locations are adjacent to ridgelines and distant from ridgelines in almost all aspects. Particular caution is required in the transition from a little to a lot of snow as well as in gullies, bowls and behind terrain edges. The sometimes thick layers of drifting snow can be triggered by individuals as a medium-sized avalanche. Defensive behaviour is recommended for winter sports in open terrain.
Snowpack
From Wednesday evening to Saturday morning, 30 to 70 cm of new fallen snow fell under the influence of strong winds, resulting in large differences in snow depth. The strong to stormy westerly winds are creating fresh snowdrift accumulations. Weak layers can be found within the drift snow packs and in the transition to the mostly hardness of the old snowpack. At low altitudes in northern aspects at higher elevations, there are still faceted crystals or floating snow in the old snowpack, but these are already interspersed with melt-freeze crusts and can hardly be disturbed. There is less snow at low altitudes, especially on sunny slopes. The snow is partly wet and can start to glide snow on very steep grass mats.
Tendency
The avalanche risk remains considerable at higher altitudes.
Clouds will accumulate along the northern side of the Alps on Tuesday with a northerly high-altitude current and it will snow a little in the Ybbstal and Türnitz Alps. The north to north-westerly wind will also continue to blow strongly, at times gale-force, leading to the formation of new drift snow packs.
Danger level
1400m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
1400m
Slab avalanches can be triggered very easily in gullies!
Above 1400 metres there is a considerable avalanche risk (level 3). The stormy winds have created prone-to-triggering snowdrift accumulations in almost all aspects, which can be triggered by individual winter sports enthusiasts in some places as medium-sized, occasionally also as large slab avalanches. The avalanche prone locations can be found adjacent to ridgelines and distant from ridgelines. They are mainly located in steep gullies and behind terrain edges. Take particular care in the transition from a little to a lot of snow. Avalanche prone locations can be covered by fresh pillows of wind drifted snow. Defensive behaviour is recommended for winter sports in open terrain.
Snowpack
From Wednesday evening to Saturday morning, 30 to 50 cm of new fallen snow above around 1400 m fell under the influence of strong winds. The snow was transported into gullies and bowls by the stormy north to north-westerly winds. As a result, snowdrift accumulations have formed, some of which are not to be underestimated. There are weak layers within the drift snow packs and in the transition to the old snowpack. Fresh snowdrift accumulations are deposited above the tree line on top of the already prone to triggering snow packs.
Tendency
The avalanche risk remains considerable at higher altitudes.
With a northerly high-altitude current, clouds will accumulate along the northern side of the Alps on Tuesday and it will snow a little at times. The north to north-westerly wind will also continue to blow strongly, sometimes gale-force, leading to the formation of new drifting snow packs.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Persistent weak layer
2200m
Gliding snow
2000m
Main problem: freshly generated drifts
Avalanche danger above the treeline is considerable, below that altitude danger is low. Fresh snowdrift accumulations are easily triggered. Slabs can be triggered by minimum additional loading and grow to medium-sized releases. Settling noises when treading the snowpack and fractures on the surface can indicate imminent danger. Danger zones occur in wind-loaded steep terrain, behind sharp drops in the landscape, in gullies and bowls. The snowdrift accumulations generated on Sunday are blanketed by fresher snow, thus impossible to recognize. On very steep sunny grass-covered slopes, glide-snow avalanches can slide away and grow to medium size.
Snowpack
The fresh snow and snowdrifts from Wednesday and Thursday have been able to settle and consolidate somewhat. On steep sunny slopes the fresh snow is already slightly moist and encrusted. As a result of northerly winds, 5-15cm of fresh snow was registered on Sunday, generating mostly small-sized trigger-sensitive snowdrift accumulations. These will expand further on Monday daytime due to strong NW winds and fresh snowfall. In the uppermost third of the snowpack are weak intermediate layers and graupel. The old snowpack is generally well consolidated and compact. On high-altitude shady slopes these layers cover a poorly-structured old snowpack fundament.
Tendency
As a result of fresh snow and wind, avalanche danger will increase significantly on Monday night.
Danger level
1500m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
1500m
Snowboards can easily be triggered!
The avalanche danger is still assessed as considerable (level 3) above 1500 metres. The persistent wind is leading to extensive snowdrift accumulations. These are prone to triggering, especially above the tree line. The main problem is the wind slab. The avalanche prone locations are adjacent to ridgelines and distant from ridgelines. Slopes from east to south to south-west are particularly affected. They are mainly located in gullies, bowls and behind terrain edges. The drift snow layer can be triggered as a snow slab by individual winter sports enthusiasts as a medium-sized avalanche. Sporadic loose snow avalanches are also possible. Small wet slides are possible at low altitude.
Snowpack
The cold temperatures at high altitude are preserving the snow layering. A lot of snow has been transported in the last few days. The wind slab has not yet been able to settle. The snowdrift accumulations have been deposited above the tree line on a partly still weak old snowpack. Weak layers can be found in the bound layer or in the transition to the old snow, at higher altitudes in places still in the persistent weak layer (faceted crystals in the area of crusts).
Tendency
The wind slab problem will continue.
With a north-westerly current, dense clouds will continue to accumulate along the northern side of the Alps, and it may snow heavily on Tuesday and Wednesday, especially between the Schladminger Tauern and the Totes Gebirge. It will only snow a little to the east, and not at all in the south with clear clouds and strong winds.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Persistent weak layer
2000m
Avalanche prone locations in wind slab, in the higher altitudes also in persistent weak layers
The avalanche risk is moderate from the sparse high forest upwards. The last wind slab can be triggered in some places with little additional load, slab avalanches can reach medium size. All aspects and both adjacent to ridgelines and steep terrain far from ridgelines are affected. At higher elevations (especially on western, northern and eastern slopes), avalanches can also break through into the persistent weak layer and occasionally become large if the additional load is high. The drift snow areas are not recognisable everywhere. Small gliding avalanches are occasionally possible on very steep sunny slopes.
Snowpack
The abundant new fallen snow that fell under stormy conditions from the west to north in the middle of the week has settled significantly and is already slightly moistened and crusted on sunny slopes up to over 2000 metres. In exposed areas, the snowpack is marked by the storm, with 5 to 10 centimetres of new fallen snow covering the wind tracks. Fractures are possible, especially in the last wind slab, but also partly in the old snowpack, in which faceted crystals (partly on crusts) and deep rime weaken the structure both near the surface and deeper inside. This mainly affects high altitudes on shady slopes (W-N-E) and high alpine locations.
Tendency
Between 10 and 30 cm of new fallen snow by Tuesday. The risk of slipping snow increases.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Gliding snow
2000m
Precipitation and wind during the day changes.
The avalanche risk is moderate above the tree line and low below it. The main problem is fresh wind slab. Slab avalanches can be triggered with little additional load. This is possible in places above the tree line in the steep terrain adjacent to ridgelines in the north to east to south aspects as well as in gullies and bowls. Avalanches can reach medium size.
Individual gliding avalanches can release themselves on very steep, sunny slopes. They usually remain small.
Snowpack
With the approaching front, the wind will pick up from the north-west and it will start to snow during the daytime changes. Prone to triggering, small-scale snowdrift accumulations develop on leeward slopes. In addition, weak intermediate layers in the area of melting snow caps and graupel are embedded in the upper metres of the snowpack in places. The snowpack base is compact and largely stable. On the south side, the snow is often wet towards the ground. Sliding movements on smooth ground are possible.
Tendency
With the forecast new fallen snow and wind, the avalanche risk will increase over the next few days.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Beware of fresh wind slab!
The avalanche risk is moderate above the tree line. Fresh snowdrift accumulations can be triggered as small to medium-sized avalanches by individual winter sports enthusiasts in all aspects. The avalanche prone locations are mainly in gullies, bowls and behind terrain edges.
Snowpack
Fresh snowdrift accumulations were often deposited on a sufficiently stable old snowpack above the tree line. Weak layers can be found in the bound layer or in the transition to the persistent weak layer, in some places still in the old snow at higher altitudes.
Tendency
The wind slab problem remains.
With a north-westerly current, dense clouds will continue to accumulate along the northern side of the Alps, and there may be heavy snowfall on Tuesday and Wednesday, especially between the Schladminger Tauern and the Totes Gebirge. It will only snow a little to the east, but not at all in the south with clear clouds and strong winds.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Persistent weak layer
2000m
Consistently avoid fresh wind slab!
The avalanche risk is moderate above the tree line. Fresh wind slabs can be triggered as small or medium-sized slabs in all aspects, even under low loads. Avalanche prone locations are mainly in gullies, bowls and behind terrain edges, also distant from ridgelines. Take particular care on very steep western, northern and eastern slopes above around 2000 metres. Transitions from little to more snow are particularly unfavourable.
Snowpack
The snow surface is characterised by the north-westerly storm of the last few days and the wind is also depositing fresh wind slab. It covers an unfavourable old snow surface above the tree line. Breaks are possible between the drift snow layers and at the transition to the persistent weak layer. The old snowpack is particularly weakened on western, northern and eastern slopes above around 2000 metres by layers of faceted crystals and deep frost as well as by a foundation of floating snow close to the ground.
Tendency
No significant change on Tuesday.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Take particular care in the east and south sectors!
The avalanche danger is rated as moderate above the tree line. The stormy wind has formed fresh wind slabs that are easily recognisable. Above the tree line, the fresh wind slab can easily be triggered as a snow slab. Typically, medium avalanches are expected to be triggered. The avalanche prone locations are adjacent to ridgelines as well as distant from ridgelines and in steep gullies and bowls. Loose snow avalanches are possible from steep rocky and rugged terrain.
Snowpack
The strong to stormy wind has continued to work the snow. The wind slab is usually quite hard. Weak layers are to be expected within the drift snow layer. The old snowpack is mostly hard and the snowpack near the ground is weakened by floating snow.
Tendency
With a north-westerly current, dense clouds will continue to accumulate along the northern side of the Alps, with the possibility of heavy snowfall on Tuesday and Wednesday, especially between the Schladminger Tauern and the Totes Gebirge. It will only snow a little to the east, and not at all in the south with clear clouds and strong winds.
An increase in avalanche danger is expected.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Gliding snow
1500m
The wind slab can be triggered even with a small additional load
The avalanche risk is moderate. Above the tree line, the last wind slab can be triggered as a snow slab in some places even with little additional load. Avalanches can reach medium size. There are avalanche prone locations both adjacent to ridgelines and distant from ridgelines, as well as in steep gullies and in forest aisles. The wind slab is partly covered with snow away from areas adjacent to the ridgeline, crest or summit and the avalanche prone locations are not recognisable everywhere. Spontaneous small gliding avalanches are possible on very steep grassy slopes.
Snowpack
The abundant new fallen snow that fell in the middle of the week under the influence of strong winds from the west to north has settled significantly. On the sunny slopes, it has already been slightly moistened again and covered with a thin crust. Protected from the wind, there is 5 to 10 cm of soft new fallen snow on this base. On the sunny slopes, the snow often lies on previously apery soils up to medium altitudes, on shady slopes on an old snowpack weakened by angular forms (partly also on crusts) and by deep frost. Fractures are mainly possible within the fresh drift snow layers, but in shady high altitudes sometimes also in the persistent weak layer. On very steep sunny slopes, the snow occasionally glides along the ground.
Tendency
Between 10 and 30 cm of new fallen snow by Tuesday. The risk of slipping snow increases.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Persistent weak layer
2000m
Fresh wind slab snow on the east and south sides - watch out for the wind slab problem!
The avalanche risk is moderate from the tree line. There is fresh wind slab on the east and south sides. Older drifts, some of which are also in the remaining aspects, have been covered and are therefore difficult to recognise. The fresh wind slab can already be triggered by low additional loads. Medium avalanches are possible. If weak layers in older exposures are triggered by large additional loads, they can rarely become large.
Snowpack
The extensive snowdrift accumulations from the last significant snowfall event were covered by some new fallen snow. Strong winds from the north-west formed fresh drifts that are not sufficiently binding. The old snowpack and older drifts may still contain weak layers and the foundation is partially weakened at very high altitudes and on shady slopes.
Tendency
Further new fallen snow and wind will increase the risk of avalanches.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
New snow
Treeline
Wind slab
Treeline
Wet snow
New and blown snow
It snowed on Thursday and Friday, with a snowfall level around 600 m. 40-60 cm of New fallen snow fell in the mountains. At the same time, strong winds blew from the north and north-east, carrying New fallen snow and building up new snow layers on the southern sides.
New fallen snow and blown snow are the main dangers. Danger is increased especially in sloping terrain and in ravines where the height of the New fallen snow is greater due to snow accumulations.
Snowpack
dp.4: cold following warm / warm following cold
On Thursday and Friday, 40-60 cm of snow fell in the mountains, which was dry above about 1000 m and wetter at lower altitudes. The snowfall was accompanied by strong northerly winds, which blew the snow above the snow line to the old snow base or ground in many places. During the previous snowfall, there may have been some local drifting of Graupel, which is a potentially dangerous Weak layer. In the old snow cover, the snow layers are well connected.
Tendency
In the coming days, the weather will be changeable with cloudy and partly clear periods, and some showers may occur. It will be relatively cool for this part of the year, with moderate northerly winds. The danger of avalanches will remain similar.
Danger level
Partly prone to wind drifted snow at medium altitudes.
Pillows of wind drifted snow are sometimes prone to triggering and can be triggered by individuals as a small slide. However, the risk of burial is low. The snowpack can start to glide snow on steep grassy slopes.
Snowpack
From Wednesday evening to Saturday morning, 10 to 40 cm of new fallen snow fell on warm, porous ground in the Gutenstein Alps. On the Hochwechsel and in the Bucklige Welt, the amount of fresh snow was significantly lower at 5 to 20 cm. At low altitudes, the snow is mostly wet. The strong wind caused drift snow packs to form in forest aisles and at higher altitudes.
Tendency
The avalanche risk is not expected to increase.
With a northerly high-altitude current, dense clouds will continue to accumulate along the northern side of the Alps until Wednesday, but the amount of new snow will be very low. The north to north-westerly wind will also remain brisk to stormy.
Danger level
Fresh pillows of wind drifted snow!
The avalanche danger is assessed as low. Fresh pillows of wind drifted snow can be triggered as a slide.
Snowpack
A few centimetres of new fallen snow or wind slabs have been deposited on a hardness of old snowpack. There is generally little snow.
Tendency
No significant change in the avalanche risk is expected. With a north-westerly current, dense clouds will continue to accumulate along the northern side of the Alps, with the possibility of heavy snowfall on Tuesday and Wednesday, especially between the Schladminger Tauern and the Totes Gebirge. It will only snow a little to the east, and not at all in the south with clear clouds and strong winds.
