Danger level

2000m

Wind slab		2000m
New snow

Fresh snow and drifts are highly prone to triggering

Fresh fallen and frequently covered older snowdrift accumulations are easily triggered. Small to medium-sized slab avalanchess can be triggered by minimum additional loading. Also naturally triggered avalanches can be expected. 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. Particularly in high-altitude west, north and east-facing slopes, avalanches can fracture down to ground-level layers of the snowpack and grow to large size. I

Snowpack

By Tuesday morning there was up to 40cm of fresh snow registered widespread, locally as much as 50cm. Amid intermittently strong winds it was transported and has generated new snowdrift masses. They are prone to triggering. Fresh snow and drifts often lie deposited atop soft layers of fresh fallen snow from precious days and blanket older drifts. The mid-part of the snowpack consists of well-consolidated, compact layers which in shady slopes blanket a poorly-structured snowpack fundament.

Tendency

Avalanche danger will gradually recede

Danger level

1800m

Wind slab		1800m
Persistent weak layer		2200m
New snow

Fresh snow and drifts prone to triggering

Fresh fallen snow and snowdrift accumulations are easily triggered. Slab avalanchess 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. Particularly in high-altitude west, north and east-facing slopes, avalanches can fracture down to ground-level layers of the snowpack and grow to large size. In very steep terrain, also loose-snow avalanches are possible.

Snowpack

Widespread up to 30cm of fresh snow is anticipated, up to 40cm in the Rätikon. Amid intermittently strong winds it will be transported and will generated new snowdrift masses. They are prone to triggering. Fresh snow and drifts often lie deposited atop soft layers of fresh fallen snow from precious days and blanket older drifts. The mid-part of the snowpack consists of well-consolidated, compact layers which in shady slopes blanket a poorly-structured snowpack fundament.

Tendency

To start with, no significant change

Danger level

1800m

New snow		1800m
Wind slab		1800m
Persistent weak layer		1800m
New snow		1800m

New and blown snow

New fallen snow and blowing snow are the main dangers. The snowpack stability is reduced, especially on slopes and in ravines, where the snow thickness 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 common 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. The new fallen snow is only slowly bonding with the old base. Ridges and peaks are blown down to the old base, in some places there is little old base. During the precipitation more than a week ago, 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 shreds and sheared grains occur, which are more frequent on axial slopes.

Tendency

The danger of avalanches will remain similar. In the coming days, the weather will be changeable with cloudy and partly clear periods, and some showers may occur. More sunshine will be in the west. It will be relatively cold for this part of the year, with moderate northerly winds, which will be strong on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Danger level

treeline

Wind slab		Treeline
Gliding snow		2000m

Take care in blown-in areas. These are sometimes difficult to recognise.

The avalanche risk is considerable above the tree line and moderate below it. The main problem is wind slab. Medium-sized slab avalanches can be triggered in many places with little additional load. The avalanche prone locations are in the steep terrain adjacent to ridgelines in the north to east to south-east aspects, distant from ridgelines behind terrain edges and in gullies and bowls. They increase in number and extent with altitude. Smaller gliding avalanches can detach themselves on individual, very steep, sunny slopes. Smaller loose snow avalanches are possible on steep terrain interspersed with rocks.

Snowpack

It will snow another 20 to 30 cm by Tuesday evening as the wind dies down. On leeward slopes, fresh and older snowdrift accumulations are prone to triggering on soft layers. In addition, graupel and weak intermediate layers are embedded in the upper metre of the snowpack in places in the area of melting snow caps. 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 danger remains.

Danger level

treeline

Wind slab		Treeline
New snow

Fresh snow and older drifts prone to triggering

Fresh fallen and frequently covered older snowdrift accumulations are easily triggered. Slab avalanchess 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.

Snowpack

Widespread 20-30cm of fresh snow is anticipated. Amid intermittently strong winds it will be transported and will generated new snowdrift masses. They are prone to triggering. Fresh snow and drifts often lie deposited atop soft layers of fresh fallen snow from precious days and blanket older drifts. The old snowpack is generally well consolidated and compact.

Tendency

To start with, no significant change

Danger level

1400m

Wind slab

1400m

Pay attention to prone to triggering snow packs!

Above 1400 metres there is still a considerable avalanche risk (level 3) Strong to stormy winds have been blowing almost continuously since Wednesday, transporting the fresh new fallen snow. 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

In the last few days, up to 50 cm of new fallen snow has fallen under stormy winds and extensive snowdrift accumulations have formed. The new fallen snow forecast for Tuesday will again be accompanied by strong winds, which will further exacerbate the drift snow situation. There are weak layers within the drift snow packs. There are still faceted crystals or floating snow in the old snowpack in shady high areas. However, these are hardly noticeable and do not pose a significant avalanche problem. There is less snow at low altitudes, especially on sunny slopes.

Tendency

The avalanche risk remains considerable at higher altitudes. The north to north-westerly winds will continue to blow strongly, at times gale force - fresh snowdrift accumulations will be deposited on the already existing snowdrift accumulations, which are prone to triggering. The weather will begin to improve from the north-east on Wednesday. After a lot of clouds in the first half of the day, there will be more clearing in the afternoon.

Danger level

1500m

Wind slab		1500m
Persistent weak layer		2000m

Fresh wind slab, considerable avalanche danger!

The avalanche danger above 1500 metres is rated as "considerable". New fallen snow and persistent wind lead to extensive snowdrift accumulations. These are prone to triggering, especially above the tree line. The avalanche prone locations are adjacent to ridgelines and distant from ridgelines. They are mainly located in gullies, bowls and behind terrain edges down to forest aisles. Aspects from east to south to south-west are particularly affected. The drift snow layer can be triggered by individual winter sports enthusiasts, usually in the form of medium-sized avalanches. Naturally triggered avalanches are also possible in isolated cases.

Snowpack

A lot of snow has fallen in the last few days. Up to 40 cm of new or wind slab snow will be added on Tuesday. The snowdrift accumulations are deposited on a mostly stable old snowpack. There are weak layers in the drift snow and occasionally, in shady high altitudes, also in the snow base, fundament (persistent weak layer problem).

Tendency

On Wednesday, the wind will shift to the north-east. Mostly clouds, but no more new fallen snow. The wind slab problem remains.

Danger level

treeline

Wind slab		Treeline
Gliding snow		2000m

Take care in blown-in areas. These are sometimes difficult to recognise.

The avalanche risk is considerable above the tree line and low below it. The main problem is wind slab avalanches. Medium-sized slab avalanches can be triggered in many places with little additional load. The avalanche prone locations are mainly above the tree line in the steep terrain adjacent to ridgelines in the north to east to south-east aspects, distant from ridgelines behind terrain edges as well as in gullies and bowls. Smaller gliding avalanches can detach themselves on individual, very steep, sunny slopes. Smaller loose snow avalanches are possible from the steep terrain interspersed with rocks.

Snowpack

By Tuesday evening it will have snowed another 20 cm under the influence of decreasing winds. On leeward slopes, fresh and older snowdrift accumulations are prone to triggering on soft layers. In addition, graupel and weak intermediate layers are embedded in the upper metre of the snowpack in places in the area of melting snow caps. 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

Little change in avalanche danger.

Danger level

1200m

Wind slab

1200m

Pay attention to prone to triggering snow packs!

Above 1200 metres, there is still a considerable avalanche risk (level 3). Strong to stormy winds have been blowing almost continuously since Wednesday, transporting the fresh new fallen snow. 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

In the last few days, up to 70 cm of new fallen snow has fallen under stormy winds and extensive snowdrift accumulations have formed. The new fallen snow forecast for Tuesday will again be accompanied by strong winds, which will further exacerbate the drift snow situation. There are weak layers within the drift snow packs. There are still faceted crystals or floating snow in the old snowpack in shady high areas. However, these are hardly noticeable and do not pose a significant avalanche problem. There is less snow at low altitudes, especially on sunny slopes.

Tendency

The avalanche risk remains considerable at higher altitudes. The north to north-westerly winds will continue to blow strongly, at times gale-force - fresh snowdrift accumulations will be deposited on the already existing snowdrift accumulations, which are prone to triggering. The weather will begin to improve from the north-east on Wednesday. After a lot of clouds in the first half of the day, there will be more clearing in the afternoon.

Danger level

treeline

Wind slab		Treeline
Persistent weak layer		2000m

Easily triggerable wind slab - considerable avalanche danger!

The avalanche risk is considerable from the tree line upwards. New fallen snow and strong winds from the north-west cause fresh snowdrift accumulations to form, which can be triggered as slab avalanches on steep terrain by even a small additional load. Medium avalanches are possible. If deeper layers are also affected, they can very rarely become large. Older loads are covered. In places, they could still be disturbed by large additional loads. Only occasionally can avalanches occur spontaneously.

Snowpack

20 - 40 cm of new fallen snow and strong winds from the north-west are expected. This will result in fresh snowdrift accumulations, some of which will be prone to triggering and have poor binding properties. In places, older snowdrift accumulations may still contain weak layers and the foundation is weakened at very high altitudes and on shady slopes.

Tendency

The wind slab problem must still be taken into account.

Danger level

treeline

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 considerable from the sparse high forest upwards and low below. The fresh wind slab is prone to triggering and can be triggered in many 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. Drift snow areas are partly covered with snow and are difficult to recognise. At high altitudes (especially on western, northern and eastern slopes), avalanches can also penetrate the persistent weak layer and occasionally become large if there is a large additional load.

Snowpack

Last week's new and wind slab snow has settled and has already crusted again on sunny slopes up to over 2000 metres. There is up to 40 cm of new fallen snow in windless areas, while exposed areas are heavily blown and snowdrift accumulations are correspondingly thick. Fractures are possible in particular in the fresh windslab snow, but in some cases also in the old snowpack, in which faceted crystals (sometimes on crusts) and deep frost weaken the structure both near the surface and deeper inside. This mainly affects shady high altitudes and generally high alpine locations.

Tendency

Weakening snowfall and wind lead to a slow improvement.

Danger level

treeline

New snow		Treeline
Wind slab		Treeline
Wet snow

New and blown snow

New fallen snow and blowing snow are the main dangers. Snowpack stability is reduced, especially on slopes and in ravines, where the snow thickness 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 precipitation of more than a week ago, there was local fall of Graupel, which is a potentially dangerous Weak layer. Locally, the layers of Graupel are 5-10 cm thick, possibly more. In an old snow cover, the snow layers are well interconnected.

Tendency

The danger of avalanches will remain similar. In the coming days, the weather will be changeable with cloudy and partly clear periods, and some showers may occur. More sunshine will be in the west. It will be relatively cold for this part of the year, with moderate northerly winds, which will be strong on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Danger level

treeline

Wind slab

Treeline

Fresh wind slab prone to triggering

The avalanche risk is moderate. Above the tree line, the fresh wind slab can be triggered as a slab in some places even with a small 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. Drift snow areas are sometimes covered with snow and are difficult to recognise.

Snowpack

Last week's new and wind-slab snow has settled and has already crusted again on sunny slopes up to over 2000 metres. There is up to 30 cm of new fallen snow in windless areas, while exposed areas are heavily blown and snowdrift accumulations are correspondingly thick. Fractures are possible in particular in the fresh windslab snow, but in some cases also in the old snowpack, in which faceted crystals (sometimes on crusts) and deep frost weaken the structure both near the surface and deeper inside. This mainly affects shady high altitudes and generally high alpine locations.

Tendency

Weakening snowfall and wind lead to a slow improvement.

Danger level

treeline

Wind slab		Treeline
Gliding snow

Avoid blown-in areas.

The avalanche risk is moderate above the tree line and low below it. The main problem is wind slab. Small to medium slab avalanches can be triggered with little additional load. The avalanche prone locations are mainly above the tree line in the steep terrain adjacent to ridgelines in the north to east to south-east aspects as well as distant from ridgelines behind terrain edges and in gullies and bowls. Individual, mostly small gliding avalanches can detach themselves on very steep, sunny slopes. Small loose snow avalanches are possible on steep terrain interspersed with rocks.

Snowpack

It will snow another 10 to 15 cm by Tuesday evening as the wind dies down. On leeward slopes, fresh and older snowdrift accumulations are prone to triggering on soft layers. In addition, graupel and weak intermediate layers are embedded in the upper part of the old snowpack in places in the area of melting snow caps. 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

The avalanche danger remains.

Danger level

treeline

Wind slab		Treeline
Persistent weak layer		2000m

Fresh wind slab prone to triggering

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 storm is also depositing fresh wind slab. It covers an unfavourable old snow surface above the tree line. Fractures 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

Weakening snowfall and wind lead to a slow improvement.

Danger level

treeline

Wind slab		Treeline
Persistent weak layer		2000m

Fresh wind slab in the high altitudes!

The avalanche danger is rated as "moderate" above the tree line. The stormy wind forms fresh wind slabs, which are usually easily recognisable. Above the tree line, the fresh wind slab can easily be triggered as a slab avalanche. Medium-sized avalanches are typically expected. The avalanche prone locations are on lee slopes both adjacent to ridgelines and distant from ridgelines and in steep gullies and bowls.

Snowpack

The strong to stormy winds have continued to work the snow and have led to smaller, fresh snowdrift accumulations. 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 in shady high areas.

Tendency

On Wednesday, the wind will shift to the north-east. Mostly clouds, but no more new fallen snow. The wind slab problem remains.

Danger level

1500m

Wind slab

1500m

Low avalanche danger, but avoid fresh pillows of wind drifted snow!

The avalanche danger is assessed as "low". Nevertheless, fresh pillows of wind drifted snow can occasionally be triggered as small slab avalanches.

Snowpack

Stormy winds repeatedly lead to the formation of fresh pillows of wind drifted snow, which are deposited on a hard old snowpack and are usually sufficiently bonded to it. There is generally little snow.

Tendency

On Wednesday, the wind will shift to the north-east. Mostly cloudy, but no more new fallen snow. The avalanche risk remains low.

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

In the last few days, up to 40 cm of new fallen snow has fallen in the Gutenstein Alps and up to 20 cm on the Hochwechsel and in the Bucklige Welt. Since Wednesday, strong to gale-force winds have been blowing almost continuously in places, transporting the fresh new fallen snow. This is now forming drift snow packs in forest aisles and higher elevations. At low altitudes, the snow is mostly wet.

Tendency

The avalanche risk is not expected to increase. The north to north-westerly wind is still blowing strongly, sometimes gale force - fresh drift snow packs are being deposited on the existing accumulations that are prone to triggering.