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.
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 faceted snow crystals and sheared grains occur, which are more frequent on axial slopes.
Tendency
The danger of avalanches will remain similar.
On Thursday, the weather will be similar, with winds weakening. Friday will see more sunshine.
Danger level
1800m
Avalanche Problem
New snow
1800m
New snow
1800m
Persistent weak layer
2000m
Fresh snow and drifts are highly prone to triggering
Fresh fallen and frequently covered older snowdrift accumulations are easily triggered, slab avalanches can be released even by minimum additional loading. Also naturally triggered avalanches are possible. Settling noises when treading the snowpack and fractures on the surface are indicators of 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
There has been 40cm of fresh snow registered widespread, locally as much as 50cm, often deposited atop soft layers of fresh fallen snow from previous days, covering older snowdrift accumulations in many cases. Particularly in high-altitude ridgeline and pass areas, fresh drifts have been generated, frequently blanketed by graupel. The mid-part of the snowpack consists of well-consolidated, compact layers which in shady slopes blanket a poorly-structured snowpack fundament.
Tendency
No significant change to start with
Danger level
1500m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
1500m
New snow
Gliding snow
2000m
Drifting and new fallen snow from the last few days can easily be triggered!
The avalanche risk is considerable above 1500 metres and moderate below that. The main problem is the drift and new fallen snow of the last few days. 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 all aspects, distant from ridgelines behind terrain edges and in gullies and bowls. Avalanches are usually of medium size, but can occasionally become large in the areas of the Allgäu and Werdenfels highlands that are rich in fresh snow. Self-triggering of medium-sized loose snow avalanches is possible from the steep terrain interspersed with rocks.
Small and medium-sized gliding avalanches can release themselves on individual, very steep, sunny slopes.
Snowpack
Over the last few days, it has snowed around 40 cm across the board, and half a metre or more in congested areas. The snow has been transported extensively and many prone-to-triggering snowdrift accumulations have formed. Some of these are softly covered with snow and difficult to recognise. In addition, graupel and weak intermediate layers are embedded in the upper metres of the snowpack in places. Deeper layers of faceted crystals are difficult to disturb. On the south side, the snow is often wet towards the ground and can slide off on slippery ground.
Tendency
Slow decline in avalanche danger with increasing settlement of the snowpack.
Danger level
1800m
Avalanche Problem
New snow
1800m
Persistent weak layer
2200m
New snow
1800m
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 are indicators of 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 frequently lies deposited atop soft layers of fresh snow. 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
treeline
Avalanche Problem
New snow
Treeline
New snow
Fresh snow and older drifts prone to triggering
Fresh fallen and frequently covered older snowdrift accumulations are easily triggered. Slab avalanches can be triggered by minimum additional loading and grow to medium-sized releases. Settling noises when treading the snowpack and fractures on the surface are indicators of 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 frequently lies deposited atop soft layers of fresh snow from recent days and blanket older snowdrift accumulations. Amid intermittently strong winds it will be transported and will generate 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
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Persistent weak layer
2000m
Fresh, prone to triggering wind slab snow, persistent weak layer problem in the higher elevations
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. Be careful at transitions from lots of snow to little snow.
Snowpack
In windless areas, there is 20 to 40 cm of new fallen snow from the last two days, depending on the area, while exposed places are heavily blown and snowdrift accumulations are correspondingly thick. Underneath is settled wind slab snow from the last week. This came to rest on an old snowpack, which is interspersed with faceted crystals and deep rime (also in combination with crusts) both in the transition area and deeper inside. This weakens the structure down to ground level. Although fractures are still possible here, they are most likely to occur within the fresh snow packs.
Tendency
Mixed weather with some snowfall and wind leads to a slow reduction in avalanche danger.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Gliding snow
2000m
The wind slab of the last few days is prone to triggering and often 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 steep terrain adjacent to ridgelines in all aspects, distant from ridgelines behind terrain edges and in gullies and bowls.
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 has snowed about 30 cm accompanied by wind from different directions. Many prone to triggering snowdrift accumulations have formed. Some of them are covered by soft new fallen snow and are difficult to recognise. 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. Deeper layers of faceted crystals are difficult to disturb. On the south side, the snow is often wet towards the ground and can slide off on slippery ground.
The avalanche risk is considerable from the tree line upwards. Strong winds and new fallen snow, including gale-force winds at high altitudes, have caused fresh and extensive prone-to-triggering snowdrift accumulations to form. There are avalanche prone locations in all aspects, especially adjacent to ridgelines, but also distant from ridgelines. Medium slab avalanches can be triggered by even small additional loads. If layers in the persistent weak layer are triggered by high loads, they can rarely become large. Naturally triggered avalanches are possible in isolated cases.
Snowpack
Depending on the altitude and region, there was up to around 20 - 40 cm of new fallen snow with strong, even stormy winds in exposed areas. The fresh wind slab can contain weak layers and does not bind sufficiently. Only rarely can weak layers still occur in the older wind slab at high altitudes and the foundation is weakened at very high altitudes and on shady slopes.
Tendency
The wind slab problem must be taken into account, but is slowly receding.
Danger level
1200m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
1200m
Drift snow packs can easily be triggered!
The fresh wind slab is prone to triggering and can be triggered by even a small additional load. Avalanche prone locations can be found adjacent to ridgelines and distant from ridgelines in almost all aspects. Snowdrift accumulations are mainly located in gullies, bowls and behind terrain edges down to forest aisles.
Slab avalanches can reach medium size.
Defensive behaviour is required when venturing into open terrain.
Snowpack
Since Monday evening, up to 25 cm of new fallen snow has fallen in combination with gale-force winds in some places. This covers the snowfall of the past week, which was also heavily influenced by the wind and relocated accordingly.
Relevant weak layers are mainly in the windslab snow and at the transition to the predominantly stable old snowpack.
In the old snowpack, faceted crystals or floating snow are still present in places at shady high altitudes. However, these are currently hardly prone to triggering and do not pose a significant avalanche problem.
At lower altitudes, there is less snow overall, in particular on sunny slopes.
Tendency
The wind slab problem is diminishing.
Clouds will continue to accumulate from the north on Thursday, with short snow showers still possible.
Danger level
1500m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
1500m
Persistent weak layer
2000m
Fresh wind slab, considerable avalanche danger!
The avalanche danger is rated as "considerable" above 1500 metres. New fallen snow and persistent wind lead to extensive snowdrift accumulations, some of which are prone to triggering. Avalanche prone locations are mainly in gullies, bowls and behind terrain edges and sometimes extend down into forest aisles. Aspects from east to south to west are particularly affected. In some places, the accumulation of drifting snow can be triggered by slight additional load as a mostly medium-sized slab avalanche.
Snowpack
Since Monday, up to 35 cm of new fallen snow has fallen in strong northerly winds. The resulting snowdrift accumulations, some of which are thick, are deposited on a largely stable old snowpack. There are weak layers in the wind-driven snow and occasionally, in shady high altitudes, also in the snow base, fundament (persistent weak layer problem).
Tendency
Clouds will continue to accumulate from the north on Thursday, with short snow showers still possible. Strong north-westerly winds are blowing, especially on the eastern edge of the Alps. The wind slab problem is slowly easing.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Persistent weak layer
2000m
Still wind slab problem in the high altitudes!
The avalanche danger above the tree line is rated as "moderate". Above the tree line, fresh snowdrift accumulations can sometimes still be triggered as slab avalanches by low additional loads. Medium-sized avalanches are typically expected. The avalanche prone locations are on lee slopes behind terrain edges and in steep gullies and bowls.
Snowpack
Strong northerly winds are still forming fresh snowdrift accumulations. These are located 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 Thursday, clouds will continue to accumulate from the north and a brisk north-westerly wind will blow. The avalanche risk will hardly change.
Danger level
1200m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
1200m
Drift snow packs can easily be triggered!
The fresh wind slab is prone to triggering in places and can be triggered by even a small additional load. Avalanche prone locations are mainly found in gullies, bowls and behind terrain edges down to forest aisles.
Slab avalanches can reach medium size.
Snowpack
Since Monday evening, up to 20 cm of new fallen snow has fallen in combination with gale-force winds in some places. This covers the snowfall of the past week, which was also heavily influenced by the wind and relocated accordingly.
Weak layers in the wind slab can be triggered with little additional load.
Tendency
The wind slab problem is diminishing.
Clouds will continue to accumulate from the north on Thursday, with short snow showers still possible.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Gliding snow
Wind slabs can be triggered as small to medium avalanches.
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 steep terrain adjacent to ridgelines in all aspects as well as distant from ridgelines behind terrain edges and in gullies and bowls.
On very steep, sunny slopes, individual, mostly small gliding avalanches can detach themselves. Smaller loose snow avalanches are possible on steep terrain interspersed with rocks.
Snowpack
It has snowed about 20 to 30 cm, even more in congested areas. Small-scale snowdrift accumulations are prone to triggering on soft layers. Some of the wind slab is soft and difficult to recognise. 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, which can cause it to slide on slippery ground.
Tendency
The avalanche danger is slowly decreasing.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
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.
On Thursday, the weather will be similar, with winds weakening. Friday will see more sunshine.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Persistent weak layer
2000m
Avoid fresh wind slabs that are 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 this is also depositing fresh wind slab snow. 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
Mixed weather with some snowfall and wind leads to a slow reduction in avalanche danger.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Avoid fresh wind slabs that are prone to triggering
The avalanche risk is moderate. Above the tree line, the fresh wind slab can easily 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. Drift snow areas are sometimes covered in snow and difficult to recognise.
Snowpack
In windless areas, there is 10 to 20 cm, in some places even 30 cm of new fallen snow from the last two days, while exposed places are heavily blown and snowdrift accumulations are correspondingly thick. Underneath is settled wind slab snow from the last week. At high elevations on shady slopes, there are still angular shapes and deep rime (also in combination with crusts) deeper in the old snowpack. Breaks are still possible here, especially with large additional loads, but are most likely to occur within the fresh drift snow packs.
Tendency
Mixed weather with some snowfall and wind leads to a slow reduction in avalanche danger.
Danger level
Low avalanche danger, but avoid fresh pillows of wind drifted snow!
Pillows of wind drifted snow are occasionally prone to triggering and can be triggered by individuals as a small slide. However, the risk of burial is low.
Snowpack
There have been repeated snowfalls on the Hochwechsel and in the Bucklige Welt in the last few days in conjunction with mostly strong to stormy winds. The new fallen snow was transported intensively and deposited as wind slab, especially in forest aisles and at higher altitudes.
Where there is an old snowpack, the drift snow packs are deposited on it and can slide off. Breaks within the drift snow layers are also possible.
Tendency
The avalanche danger remains low.
Danger level
1500m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
1500m
Low avalanche danger, but avoid fresh pillows of wind drifted snow!
The avalanche danger is assessed as "low". Nevertheless, isolated pillows of wind drifted snow can be triggered as small slab avalanches.
Snowpack
Persistent winds still lead to the formation of small 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
Thursday will be mostly cloudy with a persistent northerly wind. The avalanche risk remains low.
