The avalanche risk is initially low below around 2400 m and increases to moderate in the morning. Wet slab avalanches or loose snow avalanches can still be triggered by winter sports in a few places in the terrain or can occur spontaneously, in particular from very steep terrain below around 2800 m where there is still a lot of snow. In wet snow, avalanches can tear through to the ground, reach medium size and, if the terrain is unfavourable, advance into the green.
Above around 2400 m, there are still individual avalanche prone locations in the west, north and east aspects, as well as in the southern sector in the high Alps, where slab avalanches can be triggered in persistent weak layers. Take care on the steep transitions from little to lots of snow.
Snowpack
After a clear night, a stable melt-freeze crust has formed over a wide area. Depending on the exposure, this will soften during the morning and lose firmness. In shady high altitudes, the 5 to 15 cm of new fallen snow from the beginning of the week is well settled and often still soft. Adjacent to ridgelines in the high Alps, NW/N winds have pressed the snow or redeposited it as wind slab. The snowpack below consists of compact snow characterised by rain up to high altitudes. On shady slopes above around 2400 metres, there are still weak layers of angular forms and deep rime in the old snowpack close to the ground. Low altitudes and sunny slopes at medium altitudes are mostly snowed out.
Tendency
No significant change on Sunday.
EARLIER Danger level
1400m
Avalanche Problem
Gliding snow
1400m
LATER Danger level
1800m
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
1800m
Wet snow
1800m
Firn tours have to be finished early: In the sun, the snowpack is completely soaked by late morning.
The avalanche risk rises to moderate during the day changes above 1800 m, otherwise it is low. Where there is still snow, wet snow is problematic. On very steep slopes with smooth ground, such as on meadow slopes or rock slabs, gliding avalanches can occur. If the crust is softened in the sun, wet loose snow avalanches can detach themselves in extremely steep terrain. At higher altitudes, avalanches occasionally reach medium size.
Snowpack
The snow surface freezes through with the outgoing longwave radiation overnight. It then softens again during the daytime changes in the sun. Otherwise, the snowpack is soaked in many places up to the higher elevations and consists mainly of snowmelt. On north-facing slopes at higher altitudes, there are still layers of faceted crystals deep in the snowpack. Below 1500 metres, there is only a little snow, and the southern slopes are largely bare up to over 2000 metres.
Tendency
No change.
Danger level
2000m
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
2000m
Increase in avalanche danger during the day changes
The avalanche danger is assessed as low. Small wet slides cannot be ruled out from terrain that has not yet been unloaded. These can detach themselves or be triggered by a small additional load from people and are usually small to medium in size.
Snowpack
The snowpack can consolidate on a clear night. A surface crust forms on the surface. However, it quickly softens again with sunlight and warming. In shady, higher areas, there are large crystals in the lower snow layering in some places, which act as a possible weak layer. The deglaciation is progressing rapidly.
Tendency
The north-westerly wind will pick up again on the eastern edge of the Alps on Sunday. A few wet chutes may break loose on the sunny slopes.
Danger level
Avalanche Problem
Wet snow
The avalanche risk is low, in a few places there are still danger areas due to wet snow
The avalanche risk is low. Wet slab avalanches or loose snow avalanches can still be triggered by winter sports in a few places in the terrain or can occur spontaneously, in particular where there is still a large area of snow, i.e. mainly on shady slopes at high altitudes and in some cases on eastern and western slopes. The wet avalanches usually remain small, but can tear through to the ground in wet snow, occasionally reach medium size and, if the terrain is unfavourable, advance into the green.
Snowpack
After a clear night, a stable melt-freeze crust has formed over a wide area. Depending on the exposure, this softens during the morning and loses firmness. The snowpack underneath consists of compact snow characterised by rain. On shady slopes from around 2400 metres, there are weak layers of deep rime in the old snowpack near the ground. Adjacent to ridgelines in the highest areas of the Niedere Tauern there is thin, fresh wind slab due to north-westerly winds. The snowpack is moist to wet up to high altitudes. Low altitudes and sunny slopes at medium altitudes are mostly covered in snow.
Tendency
No significant change on Sunday.
Danger level
Avalanche Problem
Gliding snow
The foothills of the Alps are largely free of snow.
The avalanche risk is low. Where there is still snow, wet snow is problematic. Occasionally, small gliding avalanches can detach themselves on very steep slopes with smooth ground. In extremely steep terrain, small, wet loose snow avalanches are possible during the day.
Snowpack
At night, a stable melt-freeze crust forms, which softens again during the day in the sun. Where there is still a snowpack, it is patchy, soaked and consists mainly of snowmelt. The southern sides are free of snow.
Tendency
No change.
Danger level
Avalanche Problem
Gliding snow
Wet snow
There will be low danger of avalanches
The old snow cover is mostly well transformed, cohesive and stable. The danger of wet snow avalanches will be relatively low. As the weather warms up, some Avalanches may occur during the day.
A small amount of new snow has fallen in recent days, particularly in the high alpine regions. Smaller snow accumulations have formed and may be potentially unstable.
Snowpack
dp.10: springtime scenario
When the weather clears, the snowpack will mostly freeze overnight. During the day, the snow will become heavier again. The zero isotherm will rise above 3000 m above altitudes during the day.
Between 5 and 10 cm of new fallen snow has fallen this week above about 2000 m. Precipitation has been patchy with showers.
Even in the high alpine regions, showers have been quite heavy.
Tendency
At the weekend it will be quite clear and relatively warm during the day.
The snowpack will be mainly hard and frosty in the morning. It will become heavier during the day. Avalanches of packed snow will be possible, especially in high alpine regions where there is still some unprocessed snow.
