Avalanche.report

Wednesday 01.02.2023

Published 31 01 2023, 17:00


Danger level

treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Persistent weak layer
2200m


Backcountry touring and other off-piste activities call for caution. Wind slabs and weakly bonded old snow represent the main danger.

As a consequence of a strong northwesterly wind, avalanche prone wind slabs will form in all aspects. These can be released even by a single winter sport participant above the tree line. Slopes adjacent to ridgelines are especially unfavourable. Individual avalanche prone locations are to be found also in areas close to the tree line. Mostly avalanches are medium-sized. The prevalence of avalanche prone locations and likelihood of triggering will increase with altitude.
Additionally avalanches can also be released in deep layers. Such avalanche prone locations are to be found on steep, little used shady slopes above approximately 2200 m and on steep sunny slopes above approximately 2500 m.

Snowpack

dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
dp.1: deep persistent weak layer

On Wednesday the wind will be strong over a wide area. The fresh and older wind slabs will be deposited on soft layers in all aspects. The wind slabs are lying on surface hoar in some places, in particular on the Main Alpine Ridge and to the north. The snowpack will be prone to triggering in some places.
Faceted weak layers exist in the old snowpack, especially on shady slopes above approximately 2200 m, as well as on sunny slopes above approximately 2500 m.
Whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack are a clear indication of a weakly bonded snowpack.

Tendency

A lot of snow will fall on Thursday, especially in the northwest and in the High Tauern. Significant increase in avalanche danger as a consequence of new snow and strong wind. The snowpack will become unstable over a wide area.


Danger level

treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Persistent weak layer
2200m


Wind slabs and weakly bonded old snow represent the main danger.

As a consequence of the strong northerly wind, snow drift accumulations will form. The fresh and somewhat older wind slabs must be evaluated with care and prudence. They can be released even by a single winter sport participant above the tree line. Slopes adjacent to ridgelines are especially unfavourable.
Additionally avalanches can also be released in deep layers. Such avalanche prone locations are to be found on steep, little used shady slopes above approximately 2200 m and on steep sunny slopes above approximately 2500 m.
Mostly avalanches are medium-sized.

Snowpack

dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
dp.1: deep persistent weak layer

The wind will transport the loosely bonded old snow. Faceted weak layers exist in the old snowpack, especially on shady slopes above approximately 2200 m, as well as on sunny slopes above approximately 2500 m.

Tendency

Fresh wind slabs require caution.


Danger level

1800m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
1800m


Wind slabs represent the main danger.

In all aspects avalanche prone wind slabs will form. The fresh and somewhat older wind slabs can be released even by a single winter sport participant above approximately 1800 m. Slopes adjacent to ridgelines are especially unfavourable. Avalanche prone locations are to be found also in areas close to the tree line. The prevalence of these will increase with altitude. Mostly avalanches are medium-sized.

Snowpack

dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind

The strong wind will transport the snow. The fresh and older wind slabs will be deposited on soft layers in all aspects. They are lying on surface hoar in some places.

Tendency

A lot of snow will fall on Thursday over a wide area. Significant increase in avalanche danger as a consequence of new snow and strong wind. The snowpack will become unstable over a wide area.


Danger level

treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Persistent weak layer
2200m


Fresh and older wind slabs represent the main danger. Weakly bonded old snow is to be evaluated with care and prudence.

As a consequence of the occasionally strong northwesterly wind, the snow drift accumulations will increase in size on Wednesday. In all aspects avalanche prone wind slabs will form. These can be released even by a single winter sport participant above the tree line. Slopes adjacent to ridgelines are especially unfavourable. Individual avalanche prone locations are to be found also in areas close to the tree line. Mostly avalanches are medium-sized. The prevalence of avalanche prone locations and likelihood of triggering will increase with altitude.
Additionally avalanches can also be released in deep layers. Such avalanche prone locations are to be found on steep, little used shady slopes above approximately 2200 m and on steep sunny slopes above approximately 2500 m.

Snowpack

dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
dp.1: deep persistent weak layer

The strong wind will transport the snow. The various wind slabs are lying on soft layers in all aspects. They are lying on surface hoar in some places, in particular on the Main Alpine Ridge and to the north.
Faceted weak layers exist in the old snowpack, especially on shady slopes above approximately 2200 m, as well as on sunny slopes above approximately 2500 m.

Tendency

A lot of snow will fall on Thursday, especially in the northwest. Significant increase in avalanche danger as a consequence of new snow and strong wind. The snowpack will become unstable over a wide area.


Danger level

treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline


Fresh wind slabs require caution.

The wind will be strong at times. Adjacent to ridgelines as well as at elevated altitudes mostly small wind slabs will form. These can be released by a single winter sport participant in isolated cases. They are to be avoided in very steep terrain. Mostly avalanches are small.

Snowpack

dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind

As a consequence of a gathering strong northerly wind, mostly small wind slabs will form since Monday. The strong wind will transport the loosely bonded old snow. The fresh wind slabs are bonding only slowly with the old snowpack in particular on very steep shady slopes.
Hardly any weak layers exist in the old snowpack.

Tendency

As a consequence of the strong northwesterly wind, fresh snow drift accumulations will form on Wednesday.