Beware of fresh wind slab, avalanche prone locations in persistent weak layers are rare but have serious consequences
The avalanche risk is considerable above the tree line and low below.
Avalanches in wind slabs can be triggered very easily by individuals, in particular in the aspects from west to north to east. Danger areas are located behind terrain edges as well as in steep gullies and bowls and in the forest boundary area. Avalanches can reach medium size, and avalanches can occasionally become large by tearing through deeper weak layers in the persistent weak layer.
Above 2000 m, in the aspects from west to north to east, medium and occasionally large, dry slab avalanches can still be triggered by individuals in persistent weak layers in a few places. Such avalanche prone locations are rare but often not recognisable in the terrain. Take particular care at the transitions from little to more snow.
In sunny conditions, small loose snow avalanches can usually be triggered from extremely steep sunny slopes.
Snowpack
30 to 40 cm of new fallen snow fell on Tuesday. New and wind slab snow lies in shady high areas on soft, faceted snow. Away from this, the snow has fallen on a melt-freeze crust. Deeper in the snowpack, faceted crystals can be found on a crust; close to the ground, the snowpack consists of angular, cup-shaped crystals. The connection at the transition to the deep snowpack near the ground is still poor. Deep and sunny middle layers were largely covered with snow before the snowfall.
Tendency
Gradual settlement of the snowdrift accumulations.
Danger level
1800m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
1800m
Beware small fresh snowdrifts
Avalanche danger is moderate at higher altitudes, elsewhere danger is low. Fresh snowdrift accumulations require caution. They occur primarily in ridgeline terrain and in wind-loaded gullies and bowls. If avalanches on high-altitude shady slopes fracture down to deeper weak layers, they can in isolated cases then grow to larger size. Apart from the risks of being buried in snow masses, the danger of being swept along and forced to take a fall require caution.
Snowpack
The most recent fresh snow from the weekend has already bonded well with the old snowpack surface. Fresh, mostly small-sized snowdrifts have been generated. The old snowpack is generally well-settled and compact.
Tendency
Avalanche danger will continue to diminish gradually.
Danger level
2000m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
2000m
Persistent weak layer
2000m
Beware freshly generated snowdrifts
Fresh snowdrifts are prone to triggering, can be triggered even by minimum additional loading as slab avalanches. Danger zones occur primarily in steep ridgeline terrain and in wind-loaded gullies and bowls. Frequency and spread of avalanche prone locations increase with ascending altitude. If avalanches on high-altitude shady slopes fracture down to deeper weak layers, they can in isolated cases then grow to large size. Such avalanche prone locations occur primarily in spots where the snow is shallow or in transitions from shallow to deep snow.
Snowpack
The most recent fresh snow from the weekend has already bonded well with the widespread melt-freeze crust. Surface hoar has frequently been blanketed by fresh snow on steep shady slopes. Fresh snowdrifts have been generated near ridgelines. The mid-level part of the snowpack consists of well-settled, compact layers widespread which on high-altitude shady slopes cover a poorly structured old snowpack fundament.
Tendency
Avalanche danger will not change significantly. Beware freshly generated snowdrift accumulations.
Danger level
1800m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
1800m
Persistent weak layer
2000m
Avoid snowdrift accumulations.
The avalanche risk is moderate above 1800 metres and low below. Wind slab is the main problem. In places, mostly small slab avalanches can be triggered with little additional load. This is possible above all in the steep terrain adjacent to ridgelines in the west, east and south-east aspects as well as in gullies and bowls.
On a few shady slopes at high altitudes, medium slab avalanches can also be triggered with a large additional load in persistent weak layers, for example when surface avalanches penetrate to deep layers.
When exposed to sunlight, small loose snow avalanches can release themselves from the steep terrain interspersed with rocks.
Snowpack
In places, fresh and older wind slab lies on a small scale on soft layers of snow or a thin crust and is then prone to triggering. In some places, it also lies directly on a load-bearing, crusted can form surface of old snow with which it has bonded well. On shady slopes at high altitudes, weak layers of faceted crystals can be found deep in the otherwise compact old snowpack. In the sun, the new fallen snow of the last few days becomes moist. The southern sides of the middle elevations are rapidly thawing out again.
Tendency
The avalanche danger is slowly decreasing.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Persistent weak layer
2000m
Fresh wind slab in the high altitudes!
The avalanche risk is moderate above the tree line and low below. The main danger is fresh wind slabs in the north, east and south aspects. Adjacent to ridgelines, behind terrain edges and in entrances to steep gullies and bowls, smaller slab avalanches can sometimes be triggered by individuals. Medium-sized avalanches are also possible in the northern sector.
Snowpack
The snow base, fundament is largely stable and isothermal. Only in shady high altitudes does floating snow weaken the snow layering. Fresh wind slabs are forming on the surface, some of which contain weak layers.
Tendency
Hardly any more showers on Wednesday, but still windy and rather cool. Thursday will bring mostly sunny weather. Hardly any change in the avalanche danger.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Persistent weak layer
2000m
More new fallen snow than expected. Watch out for fresh wind slab in the higher elevations!
The avalanche risk is moderate at high altitudes. In the high altitudes, there is fresh wind slab due to new fallen snow and wind influence in exposed areas, which must be observed in steep terrain. Slab avalanches can be triggered in places by small additional loads. Due to the local old snow problem, attention must still be paid to steep terrain on shady slopes at high altitudes and transitions from little to more snow. Only isolated slab avalanches can still be triggered here by large additional loads.
Snowpack
Depending on the altitude and aspect, the snowpack is differently developed on the surface, partly crusted, partly less stabilised and often moist up to high altitudes in the interior and wet towards the ground. The snow base, fundament remains high and weakened on shady slopes. Low and widespread middle elevations are bare, in some places there is only a little snow. Depending on the altitude and aspect, the snowpack is differently developed on the surface, partly crusted, partly less stabilised and often moist up to high altitudes in the interior and wet towards the ground. The snow base, fundament remains high and weakened on shady slopes. Low and widespread middle elevations are bare, in some places there is only a little snow.
Tendency
Despite some new fallen snow, the avalanche situation hardly changes.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Persistent weak layer
2000m
Pay attention to fresh wind slab, avalanche prone locations in persistent weak layers are rare but have serious consequences
The avalanche risk is moderate above the tree line and low below.
In the aspects from west to north to south-east, avalanches can easily be triggered by individuals in wind slabs. Danger areas are located behind terrain edges as well as in steep gullies and bowls and in the forest boundary area. Avalanches can occasionally reach medium size, and avalanches can occasionally become large when tearing through deeper weak layers in the persistent weak layer.
Above 2000 m, in the aspects from west to north to east, medium and occasionally large, dry slab avalanches can still be triggered by individuals in a few places. Such avalanche prone locations are rare but often not recognisable in the terrain. Take particular care at the transitions from little to more snow.
In sunlight, small loose snow avalanches can usually be triggered from extremely steep slopes.
Snowpack
15 to 30 cm of new fallen snow fell on Tuesday. New and wind slab snow lies in shady high areas on soft, faceted snow. Away from this, the snow has fallen on a melt-freeze crust. Deeper in the snowpack, faceted crystals can be found on a crust; close to the ground, the snowpack consists of angular, cup-shaped crystals. The connection at the transition to the deep snowpack near the ground is still poor. Deep and sunny middle layers were largely snowed out before the snowfall.
Tendency
Gradual settlement of the snowdrift accumulations.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Persistent weak layer
2000m
Watch out for small-scale wind slabs and deep, built-up layers in the persistent weak layer.
The avalanche risk is moderate above the tree line and low below. Wind slabs are the main problem. In places, small to medium slab avalanches can be triggered with a small additional load. This is possible above all in steep terrain adjacent to ridgelines in the west, east and south-east aspects as well as in gullies and bowls. The number and extent of avalanche prone locations increase with altitude.
On a few shaded slopes at high altitudes, medium slab avalanches can also be triggered with a large additional load in the persistent weak layer, for example when surface avalanches penetrate to deep layers.
When exposed to sunlight, small loose snow avalanches can detach themselves from the steep terrain interspersed with rocks.
Snowpack
Fresh and older wind slabs lie on small scales, sometimes on soft layers of snow or a thin crust, and are prone to triggering. On shady slopes at high altitudes, weak layers of faceted crystals can be found deep in the otherwise compact old snowpack. In the sun, the new fallen snow of the last few days becomes moist. The southern sides of the middle elevations are rapidly thawing out again.
Tendency
The avalanche danger is slowly decreasing.
Danger level
1600m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
1600m
New snow
1800m
Persistent weak layer
1800m
New fallen snow with wind
Snowfall in the mountains ranged from 5 to 10 cm, and locally in the Kamnik-Savinja Alps a little more. It will snow again on Wednesday morning and into the morning. Snowfall is expected to range from 5 cm to 1 cm. Slightly more - up to 20 cm in the Savinja Alps and eastern Karavanke. At the same time, north to north-easterly winds are picking up, bringing fresh snow and building up new snow layers in the south and west. The new fallen snow is less able to adhere to the older snow base. The danger is higher especially on slopes and in gullies where the height of the New fallen snow is greater due to the snow layering.
In addition to new fallen snow, weak layers in the snowpack deeper in the snowpack are a problem. These weak layers are more numerous 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.6: cold, loose snow and wind
As the weather cooled, the older snow base froze. Dry and light snow has fallen on harder ground and is now carried by the wind. During the snowfall, the local fall of Graupel may also have provided a new weak layer.
In the old snow cover, the layers of snow are mostly well connected, with a Crust on top, which mostly supports the skier's weight. Deep below the surface, several weak layers of faceted snow crystals and sheared grains occur.
Tendency
Thursday will be clear at first, with variable cloud formation during the day. Some peaks will be occasionally cloudy. Winds will weaken slightly. Avalanche danger will remain similar.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Persistent weak layer
2000m
Fresh wind slab in the high altitudes!
The avalanche risk is moderate above the tree line and low below. The main danger is fresh wind slabs in the north, east and south aspects. Adjacent to ridgelines, behind terrain edges and in entrances to steep gullies and bowls, smaller slab avalanches can sometimes be triggered by individuals. Medium-sized avalanches are also possible in the northern sector.
Snowpack
The snow base, fundament is largely stable and isothermal. Only in shady high altitudes does floating snow weaken the snow layering. Fresh wind slabs are forming on the surface, some of which contain weak layers.
Tendency
Hardly any more showers on Wednesday, but still windy and rather cool. Thursday will bring mostly sunny weather. Hardly any change in the avalanche danger.
Danger level
1400m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
1400m
Beware of fresh wind slab, watch out for persistent weak layer problems in shady high altitudes.
The avalanche risk is still low.
Avalanche prone locations are mainly limited to fresh snowdrift accumulations in gullies and bowls as well as in steep terrain adjacent to ridgelines. These are small in scale and irregularly distributed due to the changing wind. They can be triggered as small slab avalanches by individual winter sports enthusiasts.
In addition, the persistent weak layer problem must still be taken into account in shady high altitudes. Weak layers in the lower snow layering can be prone to triggering locally.
Snowpack
The snowpack is mostly stable. A melt-freeze crust in the snowpack is overlaid by graupel in places. In combination with fresh new fallen snow transported by wind from different directions, weak layers and areas prone to triggering on a small scale are developing locally.
In shady high altitudes, large, faceted crystals are still present in the persistent weak layer in places, weakening the foundation of the snowpack.
Below around 1400 metres, and on south-facing slopes below around 1600 metres, there is only a little snow.
Tendency
Thursday will be mainly sunny, but from Friday onwards dense clouds will play a greater role in the weather again. Individual snow or sleet showers cannot be ruled out. The avalanche risk remains the same.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Persistent weak layer
2000m
Low avalanche danger, but still isolated avalanche prone locations due to fresh pillows of wind drifted snow!
The avalanche risk is low. Nevertheless, above the tree line, fresh pillows of wind drifted snow can occasionally be triggered by individuals as small slab avalanches. Avalanche prone locations are adjacent to ridgelines and entrances to gullies and bowls, primarily in the north, east and south sectors.
Snowpack
The snow base, fundament is largely stable and isothermal. Only in shady high altitudes does floating snow occasionally weaken the snow layering. Fresh wind slabs are forming on the surface on a small scale.
Tendency
Hardly any more showers on Wednesday, but still windy and rather cool. Thursday will bring mostly sunny weather. Hardly any change in the avalanche danger.
Danger level
1800m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
1800m
Take into account persistent weak layers and avoid small-scale pillows of wind drifted snow
The avalanche risk is low. Medium-sized slab avalanches can still be triggered in a few hard-to-recognise places, especially in the extended northern sector above 1800 m, but usually only with a large additional load. This is in particular at the transitions from little to more snow. Fresh, small-scale pillows of wind drifted snow in areas adjacent to the ridgeline are temporarily prone to triggering.
Snowpack
The little new and wind slab snow lies in shady high altitudes on a soft, faceted snow surface. Otherwise, there is often a thin melt-freeze crust under the thin layer of new snow. Deeper in the snowpack, faceted crystals can be found on a crust; close to the ground, the snowpack consists of angular, cup-shaped crystals. The connection at the transition to the deep snowpack near the ground is still poor. Deep and sunny middle layers are largely snowed out.
Tendency
No significant change in avalanche danger.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Low risk of isolated wet snow avalanches
The avalanche risk is low.
Above the tree line, small slab avalanches can be triggered in places on steep terrain adjacent to ridgelines with little additional load. In addition, in the entrance areas of steep gullies on shady slopes with a high additional load, small slabs of snow can also be triggered occasionally. The risk of being swept away and falling on icy surfaces that may be thinly covered with snow and therefore difficult to recognise generally outweighs the risk of burial.
Snowpack
The new and wind slab snow lies on a mostly well-settled old snowpack. Weak layers of overblown new fallen snow near the surface can be seen on a small scale. In the higher on shady slopes, there are still weak layers of large faceted crystals in the lower part of the snowpack, especially near the ground.
Low and sunny mid-altitude areas were largely snowed out before the snowfall.
Tendency
No significant change in avalanche danger.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Small snowdrift accumulations can be prone to triggering. Be aware of the risk of falling.
The avalanche risk is low. Wind slab is the main problem. Small slab avalanches can be triggered in places with little additional load. The few avalanche prone locations are mainly in the steep terrain adjacent to ridgelines in the west, east and south-east aspects as well as in gullies and bowls.
With sunlight, individual, small loose snow avalanches can detach themselves from the rocky steep terrain. Small gliding avalanches are possible on smooth, steep meadow slopes.
Snowpack
Small-scale wind slabs are sometimes prone to triggering on soft layers of overblown new fallen snow. In most cases, however, it is well bonded directly on a crusted can form surface or the previously apery ground. The new fallen snow from the last few days quickly becomes damp in the sun. Overall, there is little snow.
Tendency
No change in avalanche danger.
Danger level
1800m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
1800m
Persistent weak layer
2000m
Pay attention to fresh wind slab in exposed higher altitudes!
The avalanche risk is predominantly low. In the high altitudes, there is fresh wind slab due to new fallen snow and wind influence in exposed locations, which must be observed in steep terrain and can easily be addressed locally. Due to the local old snow problem, steep terrain on shady slopes in the high altitudes and transitions from little to more snow must still be observed. Only isolated slab avalanches can still be triggered here by large additional loads.
Snowpack
Due to moderate to sometimes strong winds in the exposed high altitudes and new fallen snow, fresh snowdrift accumulations prone to triggering can form. Depending on the altitude and aspect, the old snowpack varies on the surface, sometimes hard, crusted, sometimes less stabilised and often moist up to high altitudes and wet towards the ground. The snow base, fundament is high and partly weakened on shady slopes. Low and widespread middle elevations are bare, in some places there is only a little snow.
Tendency
Despite some new fallen snow, the avalanche situation hardly changes.
