Danger level

2800m

Wet snow		2800m
Persistent weak layer		2200m

Wet snow is the main problem, be careful in the rain

The avalanche risk is already considerable below around 2800 m in the morning. Wet slab avalanches and loose snow avalanches are possible in all aspects on slopes that have not yet been discharged or are to be expected in the event of rain. The avalanches can occur spontaneously or be triggered by individuals. They can become large with the accumulation of wet snow and tearing through the persistent weak layer in some places. Caution should also be exercised in the open run-out areas of trenches. There are isolated signs of sliding snow activity. In a few places above 2200 m, weak layers can also be disturbed directly in the persistent weak layer, especially on west, north and east-facing slopes, and also south-facing slopes in the high Alps. Snow slabs in the persistent weak layer can be medium in size, and large if they break through into the floating snow near the ground. The avalanche prone locations are difficult to recognise. Strong southerly föhn winds deposit small pillows of wind drifted snow in high gullies and bowls. Be careful at the transition from a little to a lot of snow.

Snowpack

It is only slightly colder than before. Nevertheless, the snowpack has difficulty cooling down overnight and is already softened in the morning. Beneath it lies well-settled snow from the last periods of precipitation, but softer layers are embedded, especially at higher altitudes, which allow breaks near the surface. On shady slopes from around 2200 metres, there are still prone to triggering weak layers of angular forms and deep rime in the old snowpack close to the ground. The snowpack becomes moist to wet up to high altitudes during daytime changes at the latest. Low and sunny slopes are snowed out.

Tendency

In the course of Tuesday night, the Föhn will break down, followed by light precipitation with a snowfall level of around 2200 metres. Rain and reduced outgoing longwave radiation at night weaken the snowpack.

Danger level

2800m

Wet snow		2800m
Persistent weak layer		2400m

Limited visibility, heightened wet-snow danger

Danger of wet-snow avalanches is heightened even as of early morning, particularly on very steep north-facing slopes at 1800-2400m, on sunny slopes where the snow has softened up to 2800m. Naturally triggered avalanches are possible, avalanches can also be triggered by persons and grow to large size, also sweep along great amounts of wet snow in their plummet path and then extend to very long runout zones. In high alpine regions, small ridgeline snowdrift accumulations are still prone to triggering. In addition, winter sports enthusiasts can in places on high-altitude shady slopes trigger near-surface weak layers. Such danger zones are impossible to recognize. Atop the hardened snowpack surface, there is danger of being forced to take a fall on steep slopes.

Snowpack

Following starkly reduced outgoing radiation and mild temperatures, the snowpack is hardly freezing at night. At altitudes of 1800-2400m the snowpack, even on north-facing slopes, is thoroughly wet and ground-level layers of rotten snow are prone to triggering already in early morning. In high-altitude, steep and shady terrain, there are unfavorable intermediate layers in the uppermost metre of the snowpack which in places are prone to triggering. A thick mid-section of compact layers blankets the deep hoar and faceted crystals at the base of the snowpack.

Tendency

Cloudy and rainy, due to low-pressure front impact. The snowpack cannot firm up at night.

Danger level

Wet snow
Persistent weak layer		2200m

Wet snow as the main danger up to high altitudes

The avalanche risk is moderate. From the morning, small to medium-sized, wet loose snow and slab avalanches can release themselves or be triggered by people in all aspects of the terrain that has not yet been discharged. In a few extremely steep, shady areas above 2200 metres, small to medium-sized slab avalanches can still be triggered in persistent weak layers.

Snowpack

The outgoing longwave radiation at night is repeatedly weak, so that the snow surface softens in the morning. The isothermal snow cover up to high altitudes is moist or wet, which leads to decreasing firmness. In very shady areas above 2200 metres, there are still prone to triggering weak layers such as angular shapes and deep rime in the persistent weak layer. Deep and, in places, middle layers are snowed out.

Tendency

With the collapse of the Föhn wind, very changeable April weather with sun, clouds and short showers will set in from Tuesday. The snowfall level will remain above 2000 metres. The wet snow problem remains predominant.

Danger level

Wet snow

Wet-snow danger in very steep terrain where there is still lots of snow

Wet loose-snow avalanches can trigger naturally in extremely steep terrain as a result of the rain showers. Also persons can trigger wet-snow avalanches in very steep terrain. Danger zones generally occur only in summit zones of the Bregenzerwald mountains. Avalanches generally remain medium-sized. On steep, smooth-ground slopes with lots of snow which have not yet discharged, glide-snow avalanches can trigger in all aspects.

Snowpack

Due to reduced nocturnal longwave outgoing radiation and ongoing mild temperatures, the snowpack does not freeze at night. At all altitudes the snowpack is thoroughly wet.

Tendency

As a result of rainfall, rising danger of wet slides. Slopes are becoming increasingly bare of snow.

Danger level

Wet snow
Persistent weak layer		2200m

Watch out for all-day wet snow problems!

The avalanche risk is predominantly moderate in altitudes where there is still a sufficiently thick snowpack. Medium wet snow avalanches are possible from steep terrain that has not yet been discharged in all aspects. Only very high up and on shady slopes could slab avalanches be triggered in very steep terrain.

Snowpack

Due to the predominantly lack of outgoing longwave radiation, the snow surface can hardly firmness. The snowpack is wet, or at least moist, up to high altitudes. However, weak layers may still be present in the old snowpack only at the top and on shady slopes.

Tendency

Slight cooling, some precipitation with a snowfall level above 2000 metres and wet snow problems.

Danger level

Wet snow
Persistent weak layer		2200m

Wet snow is the main problem

The avalanche risk is moderate. Wet loose snow and slab avalanches are already possible in the morning on slopes that have not yet been discharged in all aspects and altitudes. The avalanches can occur spontaneously or be triggered by winter sports. They usually remain medium in size, but with the accumulation of wet snow and tearing through to weak layers close to the ground, large avalanches are conceivable in exceptional cases. Caution should also be exercised in the apery outlets of trenches. There are isolated signs of sliding snow activity. In a few places above 2200 m in the extended northern sector, weak layers directly in the persistent weak layer can still be disturbed by individuals and lead to medium-sized slab avalanches.

Snowpack

It is only slightly colder than before. Despite this, the snowpack has difficulty cooling down overnight and is already softened in the morning. Underneath is well-settled snow from the last periods of precipitation. On shady slopes above around 2200 metres, there are still prone to triggering weak layers of angular forms and deep rime in the old snowpack close to the ground. The snowpack becomes moist to wet up to high altitudes during daytime changes at the latest. Low and sunny slopes are snowed out.

Tendency

In the course of Tuesday night, the Föhn will break down, followed by light precipitation with a snowfall level of around 2200 metres. Rain and reduced outgoing longwave radiation at night weaken the snowpack.

Danger level

1500m

Wet snow

1500m

Hardly any snow below 1400 m

The avalanche risk is moderate above 1500 metres and low below that. Wet snow is the problem. Wet loose snow avalanches are mainly to be expected at high altitudes where there is still a lot of snow. In extremely steep terrain in all aspects of the slope, they release themselves; on very steep slopes, they can be triggered by individuals. On steep slopes with smooth ground, such as on meadow slopes, in patchy mountain forests or on smooth rock slabs, wet gliding avalanches occur. Avalanches usually remain small to medium.

Snowpack

The soaking of the remaining snowpack is progressing. At high altitudes, there are a few centimetres of soft, moist snow on a largely stable and, on shady slopes in particular, still thick old snowpack. In places, layers of faceted crystals have been preserved deeper in the snowpack at high altitudes exposed to the north. On the south side, the ground is already bare again above the tree line.

Tendency

The avalanche danger at medium altitudes will continue to decrease with the progressive thawing.

Danger level

Wet snow

Small wet-snow slides possible

Wet loose-snow avalanches can trigger naturally, particularly on extremely steep slopes. Avalanches will be mostly small-sized.

Snowpack

South-facing slopes are frequently bare of snow. Where there’s a snowpack on the ground, it’s thoroughly wet.

Tendency

The slopes will continue to become bare of snow.

Danger level

Wet snow

Be aware of the local wet snow problem!

The avalanche risk is predominantly low. However, in altitudes and on slopes with a sufficiently thick snowpack, local wet snow avalanches in all aspects from areas that have not yet been discharged are to be noted, some of which can reach medium size.

Snowpack

Due to the predominant lack of outgoing longwave radiation, the snow surface can hardly firmness. The snowpack is wet up to high altitudes in the centre, or at least moist and isothermal. Only very high up and on shady slopes can the snowpack still contain weak layers.

Tendency

Slight cooling, some precipitation with a snowfall level above 2000 metres and wet snow problems.

Danger level

1800m

Wet snow		1800m
Persistent weak layer		1800m

Some wet snow avalanche cannot be ruled out

The snowpack is mostly well connected and generally stable. During the day, wet snow avalanches are possible in places. Weak layers in old snow deeper in the snowpack also pose a minor danger. These weak layers are more common in the axis above the forest. In particular, a small to medium avalanche can be triggered by a large load exceeding the load-bearing capacity of these layers.

Snowpack

dp.10: springtime scenario

A cloudier night will only frost the snowpack at higher altitudes in the High alpine regions. During the day, the snow will become heavier and may become unstable in places. In the old snow cover, the snow layers are mostly well connected. More or less deep below the surface, there are several weak layers of shreds and discontinuous grains, which are more frequent on axial slopes.

Tendency

Tuesday will be cloudy and foggy. Local showers, partly showers, will occur. The snowfall level will be around 2000 m above altitudes, with weaker showers at higher altitudes. Snowfall may be 10 to 20 cm in the high alpine regions of the Julian Alps and less elsewhere. The danger of avalanches will increase slightly.

Danger level

Wet snow

Low avalanche danger, occasional small wet snow slides possible

The avalanche risk is low. Small wet snow slides can occur occasionally in all aspects, especially from multiple starting zones that have not yet been fully discharged. Wet snow slides triggered by winter sports increase the risk of entrainment in the fall terrain.

Snowpack

The thin, mostly isothermal snowpack can hardly consolidate overnight and softens quickly. There is only a little snow left.

Tendency

With the April weather, moisture penetration and snow loss progress.

Danger level

Wet snow

Increasing snow cover also on the north side

The avalanche risk is low. Wet snow is the problem. In extremely steep terrain, occasional wet loose snow avalanches and on steep slopes with smooth ground, wet gliding avalanches can release themselves. Avalanche activity is limited to terrain on shady slopes where there is still snow. Wet avalanches usually remain small.

Snowpack

The remaining snowpack is completely soaked, the meltwater runoff hardly decreases even overnight. The southern sides are largely snowed out.

Tendency

The avalanche danger remains low.

Danger level

Wet snow

Small wet snow avalanches in snowy places

The avalanche risk is low. Small, spontaneous wet snow slides can occur from slopes that have not yet been discharged in all aspects. Wet snow slides triggered by winter sports increase the risk of entrainment in the fall terrain.

Snowpack

The outgoing longwave radiation at night is poor and the snow cover remains largely moistened to isothermal due to the warmth. In places, you can still find small pillows of wind drifted snow adjacent to ridgelines, but most of the terrain is already tapped out.

Tendency

Gradual reduction of the avalanche risk due to melting and raining away of the remaining snow.