Avalanche.report Friday 27 12 2019

Regions
Western Tuxer Alps, Glockturm Range, Grieskogel Mountains, Weißkugel Range, Gurgler Range, Central Stubai Alps, Northern Oetz and Stubai Alps

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 the treeline, E-SE-S-SW-W

Fresh wind slabs above approximately 2000 m.

Hardly any increase in avalanche danger as a consequence of the fresh snow. The fresh and somewhat older wind slabs represent the main danger. The avalanche prone locations for dry avalanches are to be found in particular adjacent to ridgelines and on steep slopes above approximately 2000 m. In many cases the dry avalanches are medium-sized and easily released.
As the penetration by moisture increases more small to medium-sized gliding avalanches and moist snow slides are possible. This applies in particular on steep grassy slopes as well as at low and intermediate altitudes.
The current avalanche situation calls for experience in the assessment of avalanche danger. Caution and restraint are advisable.

Snowpack

dp 6: cold, loose snow and wind
dp 2: gliding snow

Over a wide area 5 to 10 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, will fall above approximately 1000 m. The somewhat older wind slabs of the last few days must be evaluated with care and prudence in all aspects above approximately 2000 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

Gradual decrease in avalanche danger as a consequence of the ceasing of precipitation.

Regions
Karwendel Mountains, Eastern Tuxer Alps, Brandenberg Alps, Western Kitzbühel Alps, Wilder Kaiser Mountains - Waidring Alps, Eastern Kitzbühel Alps

Fresh wind slabs above approximately 1800 m.

The fresh and somewhat older wind slabs represent the main danger. The avalanche prone locations are to be found on steep slopes above approximately 1800 m. Caution is to be exercised in particular adjacent to ridgelines as well as on steep slopes. Such avalanche prone locations are widespread but are easy to recognise.

Snowpack

dp 6: cold, loose snow and wind
dp 2: gliding snow

Over a wide area 5 to 15 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, will fall above approximately 600 m. As a consequence of fresh snow and a moderate to strong northwesterly wind, avalanche prone wind slabs will form in particular adjacent to ridgelines as well as above the tree line. The snowpack will be moist at low and intermediate altitudes.

Tendency

Gradual decrease in avalanche danger as a consequence of the ceasing of precipitation.

Regions
Durreck Range, Northern Zillertal Alps, Venediger Range, Southern Zillertal Alps and High Tauern

Fresh wind slabs above approximately 2000 m.

Hardly any increase in avalanche danger as a consequence of the fresh snow. Fresh and somewhat older wind slabs are in isolated cases quite 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.
The current avalanche situation calls for experience in the assessment of avalanche danger. Caution and restraint are advisable.

Snowpack

dp 6: cold, loose snow and wind
dp 2: gliding snow

Over a wide area 10 to 20 cm of snow, but less in some localities, will fall above approximately 600 m. The fresh and older wind slabs are poorly bonded with the old snowpack in all aspects above approximately 2000 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

Slight decrease in avalanche danger as a consequence of the ceasing of precipitation.

Regions
Western Lechtal Alps, Central Lechtal Alps, Western Verwall Mountains, Eastern Verwall Mountains, Allgäu Alps, Silvretta, Samnaun Mountains, Eastern Lechtal Alps - Ammergau Alps, Mieming Mountains

Fresh wind slabs above approximately 1800 m.

Hardly any increase in avalanche danger as a consequence of the fresh snow. The fresh and somewhat older wind slabs represent the main danger. The avalanche prone locations for dry avalanches are to be found in particular adjacent to ridgelines above approximately 1800 m. In some cases the avalanches are medium-sized but easily released.
Especially below approximately 2400 m small and medium-sized gliding avalanches and moist snow slides are possible.
The current avalanche situation calls for experience in the assessment of avalanche danger. Caution and restraint are advisable.

Snowpack

dp 6: cold, loose snow and wind
dp 2: gliding snow

Over a wide area 10 to 20 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, will fall above approximately 1000 m. The fresh wind slabs remain for the foreseeable future prone to triggering 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

Gradual decrease in avalanche danger as a consequence of the ceasing of precipitation.

Regions
Glockner Range, Eastern Deferegger Alps, Schober Mountains, Lienzer Dolomites, Eastern Rieserferner Mountains

The wind slabs represent the main danger.

The current avalanche situation calls for experience in the assessment of avalanche danger and careful route selection. Great caution and restraint are advisable. The more recent wind slabs are extensive and can be released easily. A few natural avalanches are to be expected, in particular on wind-loaded slopes. Especially below approximately 2400 m small and medium-sized gliding avalanches are possible.

Snowpack

dp 6: cold, loose snow and wind
dp 2: gliding snow

Some snow will fall in particular in the north and in the west. 10 to 20 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, will fall. As a consequence of the strong to storm force northwesterly wind the prevalence and size of the avalanche prone locations will increase on Tuesday. 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. 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

Further increase in avalanche danger as a consequence of fresh snow and strong wind. This applies in particular in the regions exposed to heavier precipitation in the regions neighbouring those that are subject to danger level 4 (high). The northwesterly wind will transport the fresh and old snow. Wind slabs represent the main danger. There is a danger of gliding avalanches, in particular in the regions with a lot of snow in particular below approximately 2200 m.