Avalanche report for Monday 16 December 2024.

Fresh wind slabs represent the main danger. Avalanches can be released in the weakly bonded old snow in isolated cases. The avalanche danger is within the upper range of danger level 2 (moderate).

all day it applies above the treeline moderate avalanche danger, so danger level two, below low avalanche danger, so danger level one.

all day, above the treeline, we have a wind slab problem. Especially in the aspects North-West to North to South-East. Furthermore, all day, above 2400 meter, we have a persistent weak layer problem. Especially in the aspects North-West to North to East.

As a consequence of new snow and a moderate to strong wind from northwesterly directions, easily released wind slabs formed in gullies and bowls and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular on northwest to north to southeast facing aspects above the tree line. The number and size of avalanche prone locations will increase with altitude. These places are quite prevalent but are clearly recognisable to the trained eye. Shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack serve as an alarm indicating the danger. Avalanches can reach medium size. Additionally in isolated cases avalanches can be triggered in the old snowpack and reach dangerously large size, in particular on very steep northwest, north and east facing slopes above approximately 2400 m. Especially slopes adjacent to ridgelines are unfavourable. As a consequence of warming small gliding avalanches and snow slides are possible. This applies on very steep sunny slopes.

And now the snowpack:

In some regions up to 15 cm of snow has fallen. This applies in particular in the north and in the west as well as in the High Tauern. The northwesterly wind has transported the fresh and old snow significantly. The fresh wind slabs are lying on unfavourable layers. Faceted weak layers exist in the centre of the old snowpack, especially on northwest, north and east facing slopes above approximately 2400 m. In all altitude zones only a little snow is lying.

The tendency for Tuesday 17 December 2024 indicates a steady avalanche danger.

Have a nice day and don't forget to be careful!