Danger level

treeline

Wind slab		Treeline
Wet snow		2000m

Snowdrift accumulations at altitude are prone to triggering and sometimes difficult to recognise.

The avalanche risk is moderate. Above the tree line, wind slabs are the main problem. Slab avalanches can be triggered by low additional loads and reach medium size. The avalanche prone locations are mainly in the steep terrain adjacent to ridgelines in the north-west, north to east aspects, below terrain edges and in gullies and bowls. Below 2000 m, wet and gliding snow are also problematic. On very steep slopes with smooth ground, such as on meadows and in sparse mountain forests, gliding avalanches can detach themselves. Loose snow avalanches detach themselves from extremely steep areas. Wet avalanches reach medium size in snowy regions.

Snowpack

Older and fresh snowdrift accumulations lie on soft layers and graupel at higher altitudes. In an altitude band from approx. 1500 m to 2000 m, there is a melt-freeze crust underneath last week's fresh snow pack on the shady slopes, under which faceted crystals have formed. Some of these are still prone to triggering. Deep-lying layers of faceted crystals at the base of the snowpack can hardly be disturbed. At medium altitudes, the snow on the ground is often wet. With warm temperatures, cloud cover and rain, the snowpack becomes increasingly soaked.

Tendency

The wet snow problem is coming to the fore, but spring conditions with a daily increase in avalanche danger and firn will only develop in the coming week.

Danger level

1600m

Wind slab		1600m
Wet snow

Predominantly good backcountry touring conditions

Slab avalanches can be triggered by large additional loading and grow to medium size. Danger zones occur in steep ridgeline terrain, behind sharp drops in the landscape, in wind-loaded gullies and bowls. In very steep terrain, wet-snow slides and avalanches are possible due to solar radiation and daytime warming. On steep grass-covered slopes, gliding snow activity is gradually increasing.

Snowpack

The fresh snow and drifts from recent days have been able to settle somewhat and increasingly consolidate. Also the latest snowdrift accumulations have stabilized. The old snowpack is generally well consolidated and compact.

Tendency

Starting on Easter Weekend, danger of wet-snow avalanches will increase during the course of the day through ongoing rise in temperatures.

Danger level

2000m

Wind slab		2000m
Persistent weak layer		2200m
Wet snow		2000m

Generally good backcountry touring conditions

Slab avalanches can be triggered by large additional loading and grow to medium size. Danger zones occur in steep ridgeline terrain, behind sharp drops in the landscape, in wind-loaded gullies and bowls. Particularly on high-altitude west, north and east-facing slopes, avaalnches can fracture in the weak layers in the uppermost part of the snowpack and grow to medium size. In very steep terrain, loose-snow avalanches are possible due to solar radiation and daytime warming. On steep grass-covered slopes, gliding snow activity is gradually increasing.

Snowpack

On shady slopes and in terrain with flat solar radiation, the uppermost layers are often still soft. Particularly in high altitude ridgeline and pass areas, small fresh and older snowdrift accumulations are still prone to triggering. The mid-part of the snowpack consists widespread of well consolidated, compact layers which on shady high-altitude slopes blanket a poorly structured old snow fundament. At lower altitudes, mild temperatures, rain impact and solar radiation will make the snowpack thoroughly wet to an ever-increasing degree.

Tendency

Starting on Easter Weekend, danger of wet-snow avalanches will increase during the course of the day through ongoing rise in temperatures.

Danger level

2000m

Persistent weak layer

2000m

Beware of persistent weak layers

The avalanche risk is moderate from around 2000 metres. In a few places, avalanches can still be triggered by low additional loads in the persistent weak layer and reach medium size. Be careful at the transition from a little to a lot of snow. Even mostly easily recognisable snowdrift accumulations can be disturbed. Superficial avalanches remain small, but can reach medium size if they tear through the persistent weak layer. Be careful in the area of cornices. As the weather warms up during the day, more spontaneous wet loose snow avalanches can occur. This is mainly in the extended southern sector, but below 2000 m it is also becoming increasingly common on the north side.

Snowpack

The snow surface was characterised by storms. Several layers of often hard packets of drift snow lie on a rather unfavourable old snow surface. Fractures are mainly possible at the transition to the persistent weak layer, less frequently between the drift snow packs. Deeper in the old snowpack, faceted crystals and deep rime can still be found on shady, high-altitude slopes, often covered with a decomposed crust.

Tendency

In the night to Sunday it will clear up widely, the frost line will rise to around 2400 to 2600 metres. Decreasing danger from wind slab but increasing danger from wet snow.

Danger level

1800m

Persistent weak layer		1800m
Wet snow

Moderate avalanche danger at high altitudes!

The avalanche danger is rated as "moderate" above 1800 metres. Avalanche prone locations are mainly in shady areas at high altitudes, where slab avalanches can be triggered by large additional loads and occasionally also by small additional loads. Mainly medium-sized avalanches are expected, but they can also become large in isolated cases. Spontaneous, wet loose snow avalanches and occasional gliding avalanches are to be expected on the sunny slopes.

Snowpack

The thick snowdrift accumulations of the past few days have settled and are hardly prone to triggering. However, at higher elevations, a weak layer has formed in the transition to the largely stable old snow foundation. At medium elevations and sunny slopes up to the higher elevations, the snow cover is becoming increasingly isothermal and moist, losing stability or starting to glide on a smooth surface. At lower altitudes, the snowpack is increasingly thinning out.

Tendency

Mild mountain weather with plenty of sunshine and little wind on Easter Sunday. The wet and gliding snow problem is becoming increasingly important, the persistent weak layer problem is easing.

Danger level

1800m

Wind slab		1800m
Persistent weak layer		1800m

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 medium-sized avalanche can be triggered by a large load exceeding the load-bearing capacity of these layers.

Snowpack

dp.4: cold following warm / warm following cold

The last snowfall was accompanied by a strong northerly wind, which blew the snow down to the old base in many places and created snowdrift accumulations in the leeward areas. In some places, these are on top of a layer of Graupel, which is a potentially dangerous Weak layer. Locally, the layers of Graupel are 5-10 cm thick, possibly more. In the old snow cover, the snow layers are mostly well interconnected. Deep below the surface, several weak layers of faceted snow crystals and sheared grains occur, which are more frequent on axial slopes.

Tendency

Sunday will be sunny and even warmer. The avalanche danger will remain similar, with the possibility of some small to medium wet snow avalanches on prominent Sunny slopes over the weekend. If the night on Monday is cloudy, the frequency of wet avalanches on Monday will be higher than over the weekend.

Danger level

1500m

Persistent weak layer		1500m
Wet snow

Moderate avalanche danger at higher altitudes. Wet and gliding sluffs are possible.

The avalanche danger above 1500 m is assessed as moderate (level 2). Slab avalanches can be triggered in steep terrain on shady slopes by slight additional loads. These are usually small, but medium-sized avalanches are also possible in a few places. The avalanche prone locations are mainly in gullies, bowls and behind terrain edges at higher altitudes. Rain and rising temperatures during the daytime changes increase the likelihood of wet loose snow avalanches and gliding avalanches.

Snowpack

The windslab snow has already settled well, there are still weak layers in shady high areas between the windslab snow and the old snowpack. Faceted crystals in the snow base, fundament are currently hardly prone to triggering. Due to the rise in temperature, the moisture of the snowpack is increasing, especially at medium altitudes. The rain on Holy Saturday will lead to additional moistening of the snowpack. There is usually only a little snow below 900 metres.

Tendency

Easter Sunday will be characterised by excellent mountain weather with plenty of sunshine, little wind and very mild temperatures. The risk of avalanches increases on Sunday. The danger of wet and gliding sluffs increases with the rising temperatures and the seasonal strong sunshine.

Danger level

2000m

Persistent weak layer		2000m
Wind slab		2000m

Combined drift and persistent weak layer problem

The avalanche risk is moderate from around 2000 metres. In some places, avalanches can be triggered by even a small additional load in the persistent weak layer and can reach medium size. Be careful at the transition from lots of snow to little snow. The drift snow accumulations, some of which are difficult to recognise, are relatively well connected. However, if they are disturbed at one of the few trigger points, avalanches can break through into the persistent weak layer and then become medium sized. Caution is also advised on and below cornices. As the weather warms during the day, more spontaneous wet loose snow avalanches can occur. This is mainly in the extended southern sector, but below 2000 m it is also becoming increasingly common on the north side. On isolated typical slopes, sliding snow activity may begin.

Snowpack

Under some fresh new fallen snow lies an average of 40 cm of settled new and drift snow from the last week at higher, wind-calm locations, while exposed locations are heavily blown and snowdrift accumulations are correspondingly thick. The snow came to rest on a thin melt-freeze crust from the weekend. There are angular shapes and deep rime in the old snowpack on shady slopes. Fractures are most likely to occur within the no longer quite fresh snowdrift accumulations, increasingly also on the uppermost crust, and only rarely in the floating snow close to the ground. At lower altitudes, the snowpack is soaked by rain.

Tendency

In the night to Sunday it will clear up widely, the frost line will rise to around 2400 to 2600 metres. Decreasing danger from wind slab but increasing danger from wet snow.

Danger level

2000m

Persistent weak layer		2000m
Wind slab		2000m

Combined drift and persistent weak layer problem

The avalanche risk is moderate from around 2000 metres. In some places, avalanches can be triggered even with a small additional load in the persistent weak layer and reach medium size. This is particularly the case on west, north and east-facing slopes and, at even higher altitudes from around 2600 m, increasingly also in the southern sector. Caution at the transition from little to much snow. Even partially covered and difficult to recognise snowdrift accumulations can be disturbed by individuals in a few places. Superficial avalanches remain small, but can break through into the persistent weak layer and then become medium sized. All aspects and both adjacent to ridgelines and steep terrain far from ridgelines are affected. Caution is also required on and below cornices. As the weather warms up during the day, more spontaneous wet loose snow avalanches may occur. This mainly in the extended southern sector, but also increasingly on the north side below 2000 metres. On isolated typical slopes, sliding snow activity may begin.

Snowpack

Under traces of fresh new fallen snow lies an average of half a metre of settled new and drift snow from the last week in higher, windless places, while exposed places are heavily blown and snowdrift accumulations are correspondingly thick. The snow came to rest on a thin melt-freeze crust from the weekend, in the vicinity of which faceted crystals are forming. At high altitudes on the shady slopes, angular forms and deep rime (also in combination with crusts) can be found even deeper in the old snowpack. Fractures are most likely to occur within the no longer completely fresh snowdrift accumulations, increasingly also on the uppermost crust, and only occasionally in the deep rime. At lower altitudes, the snowpack is soaked by rain.

Tendency

In the night to Sunday it will clear up widely, the frost line will rise to around 2400 to 2600 metres. Decreasing danger from wind slab but increasing danger from wet snow.

Danger level

1800m

Persistent weak layer

1800m

Moderate avalanche danger!

The avalanche risk is predominantly moderate, especially at higher altitudes. Older snowdrift accumulations must be taken into account in some cases and can still be triggered as medium slab avalanches on steep slopes, in filled steep bowls and gullies, usually due to large additional loads. If deeper layers are encountered in transitions from little to more snow, these can occasionally become large. Naturally triggered avalanches are hardly to be expected

Snowpack

The snowpack has generally settled, stabilised and is binding better. Occasionally there are still weak layers at the transition from wind slab to old snowpack, especially at higher elevations. The snow base, fundament (persistent weak layer problem) is only partially weakened in very high north-facing or on shady slopes.

Tendency

Lots of sunshine and much milder, slight daytime changes in avalanche danger!

Danger level

1900m

Persistent weak layer		1900m
Wet snow

Moderate avalanche danger at high altitudes!

The avalanche danger above 1900 metres is rated as "moderate". Avalanche prone locations are older snowdrift accumulations, which can be triggered as smaller slab avalanches, especially in shady areas of the higher elevations due to large additional loads, occasionally also due to small additional loads. Wet snow slides and occasional gliding avalanches are increasingly to be expected on sunny slopes.

Snowpack

The snowpack is becoming increasingly isothermal and moist in mid-altitudes and sunny slopes up to high altitudes, losing some of its stability as a result or may start to glide on a smooth surface. Only in shady high altitudes are there still cold reserves and a somewhat weakened snow base, fundament due to a moderate persistent weak layer problem. Generally speaking, there is little snow and lower altitudes are increasingly thinning out.

Tendency

Mild mountain weather with plenty of sunshine and little wind on Easter Sunday. The wet and gliding snow problem is becoming increasingly important, the persistent weak layer problem is easing.

Danger level

Persistent weak layer

Latent persistent weak layer problem and rain

The avalanche risk is low. Where there is still a significant amount of snow, small avalanches can occasionally be triggered in persistent weak layers on shady slopes. On typical slopes, sliding snow activity can set in and the snowpack is generally weakened by rain. Wet loose snow slides can occur in snow-rich locations.

Snowpack

In the summit regions, and especially in blown-in and shady areas, there is well-settled new and wind slab snow from last week. The snow came to rest there on a thin melt-freeze crust from the weekend, in the vicinity of which faceted crystals can be found in the persistent weak layer. The snowpack is rapidly thinning out and is being soaked by rain.

Tendency

In the night to Sunday it will clear up widely, the frost line will rise to around 2400 to 2600 metres. Note the daytime changes.

Danger level

treeline

Wind slab		Treeline
Wet snow

Blown snow

The main danger is from blowing snow. The snowpack stability is reduced, especially on slopes and in ravines, where the snow thickness is greater due to snow drifts.

Snowpack

dp.4: cold following warm / warm following cold

The last snowfall brought strong northerly winds, which blew the snow above the snow line down to the old snow base or to the ground in many places, and built up snowdrift accumulations on the leeward slopes. In some places, these have formed on top of a layer of parachuted graupel, which is a potentially dangerous Weak layer. Locally, the layers of Graupel are 5-10 cm thick, possibly more.

Tendency

The danger of avalanches will remain similar. Sunday will be sunny and even warmer. Winds will die down.

Danger level

Wet snow
Gliding snow

Low avalanche danger, wet and gliding sluffs are possible.

The avalanche danger is assessed as low. Due to the rain and rising temperatures during the day, the likelihood of wet loose snow avalanches and gliding avalanches increases.

Snowpack

Due to the snowfall of the last week, there is 60 to 80 cm of snow in places in wind-protected and shady locations above around 800 metres. Exposed areas, on the other hand, are often heavily blown off. The wind slab is already well stabilised and mostly moist. There is less snow at low altitudes and in some places the snowpack is already largely bare. Due to the rise in temperature, the moisture of the snowpack is increasing at all altitudes. The rain on Holy Saturday will lead to additional moistening.

Tendency

Easter Sunday will be characterised by excellent mountain weather with plenty of sunshine, little wind and very mild temperatures. The risk of avalanches increases on Sunday. The danger of wet and gliding sluffs increases with the rising temperatures and the seasonal strong sunshine.

Danger level

Low avalanche danger.

The avalanche risk is assessed as low. Due to the rising temperatures during the daytime changes, small wet and gliding sluffs cannot be ruled out in steep gullies and on embankments.

Snowpack

The wind slab is already well stabilised. As the temperature rises, the moisture in the snowpack increases. In the Bucklige Welt and on the Hochwechsel there is only a little snow below 1200 metres. In the Gutenstein Alps, the hills up to 1000 metres are already mostly bare.

Tendency

Easter Sunday will be mild mountain weather with plenty of sunshine and little wind. The avalanche risk remains low.

Danger level

Wet snow

Low avalanche danger, but watch out for wet snow slides on the sunny slopes!

The avalanche danger is assessed as "low". Nevertheless, there are very isolated avalanche prone locations in shady areas at high altitudes where small slab avalanches can be triggered. On the sunny slopes, wet loose snow slides and occasional gliding avalanches are to be expected.

Snowpack

The snowpack is becoming increasingly isothermal and moist in mid-altitudes and sunny slopes up to high altitudes, losing a little stability as a result or may start to glide on a smooth surface. Only in shady high altitudes are there still small cold reserves and a somewhat weakened snow base, fundament due to a moderate persistent weak layer problem. Generally speaking, there is little snow and lower altitudes are increasingly thinning out.

Tendency

Easter Sunday will see mild mountain weather with plenty of sunshine and little wind. The avalanche risk remains low.