Regions
Northern Zillertal Alps, Venediger Range, Southern Zillertal Alps and High Tauern
Danger level
Danger Level 4 - High above 2400m
Danger Level 3 - Considerable above 2400m
Avalanche Problem
Wind-drifted snow above the treeline, N-NE-E-SE-S-SW-W-NW
Gliding snow above the treeline, N-NE-E-SE-S-SW-W-NW
Further increase in avalanche danger as a consequence of fresh snow and wind. Gliding avalanches and wet snow slides are to be expected even now.
Fresh and somewhat older wind slabs are mostly dangerously large and prone to triggering. Caution is to be exercised in particular adjacent to ridgelines, and elsewhere on steep slopes especially at high altitudes and in high Alpine regions. Dry avalanches can additionally be released in near-surface layers, even by a single winter sport participant.
As the penetration by moisture increases small to medium-sized gliding avalanches and moist snow slides are possible. This applies in particular on steep grassy slopes at low and intermediate altitudes.
Snowpack
dp 6: cold, loose snow and wind
dp 2: gliding snow
Over a wide area 50 to 70 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, will fall above approximately 1000 m. The fresh and older wind slabs are poorly bonded with the old snowpack in all aspects above approximately 1800 m. The snowpack will be subject to considerable local variations at high altitudes and in high Alpine regions.
At low and intermediate altitudes the snow is moist.
Tendency
Hardly any decrease in danger of dry and moist avalanches as the snowfall eases.
Regions
Sexten Dolomites, Eastern Pfunderer Mountains, Durreck Range, Western Rieserferner Mountains, Val Müstair Alps, Western Deferegger Alps, Langtaufers, Ortler Range, Schnals Ridge, Southern Stubai Alps, Ulten Valley, Eastern Nonsberger Alps, Northern Dolomites of Fiemme, Saldurn-Mastaun Ridge, Gröden Dolomites, Texel Mountains, Prags Dolomites, Sarntal Alps, Western Pfunderer Mountains
Danger level
Danger Level 3 - Considerable above the treeline
Danger Level 2 - Moderate above the treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind-drifted snow above the treeline, N-NE-E-SE-S-SW-W-NW
Gliding snow above 2400m, N-NE-E-SE-S-SW-W-NW
The fresh wind slabs represent the main danger.
The current avalanche situation calls for extensive experience in the assessment of avalanche danger. Even single winter sport participants can release avalanches very easily, including large ones. Great caution and restraint are advisable. A few natural avalanches are to be expected, in particular on wind-loaded slopes. The wind slabs are to be found in particular adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls in all aspects as well as at high altitudes and in the high Alpine regions. As a consequence of the storm force northwesterly wind the prevalence and size of the avalanche prone locations will increase on Christmas Day. In regions neighbouring those that are subject to danger level 4 (high) and in the regions exposed to heavier precipitation avalanche prone locations are more prevalent and the danger is greater.
Especially below approximately 2400 m small and medium-sized gliding avalanches and moist snow slides are possible.
Snowpack
dp 6: cold, loose snow and wind
dp 2: gliding snow
A lot of snow will fall in particular in the north and in the northeast. 20 to 40 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, will fall. The wind slabs have bonded poorly with the old snowpack. Faceted weak layers exist in the old snowpack in particular adjacent to ridgelines. The old snowpack will be moist below approximately 2200 m.
Tendency
Hardly any decrease in avalanche danger. The northwesterly wind will transport the fresh and old snow. Wind slabs represent the main danger. A latent danger of gliding avalanches exists.