Avalanche.report

Monday 16 December 2024

Published 15 Dec 2024, 17:00:00


Danger level

treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Persistent weak layer
2400m


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).

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.

Snowpack

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

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.

Tendency

The fresh wind slabs of the last few days remain in some cases prone to triggering. Additionally avalanches can also penetrate near-ground layers of the snowpack and reach quite a large size. Caution is to be exercised in particular adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls.


Danger level

2400m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
2400m


The wind slabs represent the main danger.

The wind slabs can be released by a single winter sport participant. Caution is to be exercised in particular adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls. In high Alpine regions the avalanche prone locations are more prevalent. In very isolated cases the avalanches in these regions are medium-sized.
Apart from the danger of being buried, restraint should be exercised as well in view of the danger of avalanches sweeping people along and giving rise to falls.

Snowpack

dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind

The snowpack will be subject to considerable local variations. The old snowpack remains in some cases prone to triggering.
The old wind slabs are lying on soft layers above approximately 2400 m. Faceted weak layers exist in the bottom section of the snowpack in particular on shady slopes.

Tendency

The avalanche danger will persist.


Danger level

treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Persistent weak layer
2400m


Fresh wind slabs represent the main danger. Avalanches can be released in the weakly bonded old snow in isolated cases.

As a consequence of new snow and a sometimes strong wind from northerly 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 prevalence of the avalanche prone locations will increase with altitude. Such avalanche prone locations are prevalent but are clearly recognisable to the trained eye. Avalanches can reach medium size.

Additionally in isolated cases avalanches can be triggered in the old snowpack and reach large size in isolated cases, in particular on very steep northwest, north and east facing slopes above approximately 2400 m. Especially slopes adjacent to ridgelines are unfavourable.

Snowpack

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

Some snow has fallen in particular along the border with Tirol. The wind will be strong in some cases. The wind has transported the fresh and old snow. 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 northeast facing slopes at high altitudes and in high Alpine regions.

In all altitude zones only a little snow is lying.

Tendency

The fresh wind slabs of the last few days remain prone to triggering. Additionally in some places avalanches can also penetrate near-ground layers of the snowpack and reach medium size.


Danger level

treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline


Fresh wind slabs represent the main danger.

As a consequence of new snow and a sometimes strong wind from northwesterly directions, avalanche prone 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, but in isolated cases also in areas close to the tree line. Avalanches can reach medium size in isolated cases. The avalanche prone locations are clearly recognisable to the trained eye.

In addition individual small gliding avalanches are possible. This applies on very steep grassy slopes.

Snowpack

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

5 to 10 cm of snow has fallen since Sunday. The wind was strong in some cases. Up to intermediate altitudes rain will fall in the late morning in particular along the border with Salzburg.
The wind has transported the fresh and old snow. The fresh wind slabs are lying on unfavourable layers.
In all altitude zones only a little snow is lying.

Tendency

As a consequence of mild temperatures the snow drift accumulations will stabilise. Fresh wind slabs are to be evaluated with care and prudence especially on very steep shady slopes at high altitude.


Danger level

treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline


Fresh wind slabs require caution.

As a consequence of a sometimes strong northerly wind, clearly visible wind slabs formed. These are mostly only small but prone to triggering. Individual avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain above the tree line.

Snowpack

dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind

As a consequence of a strong northerly foehn wind, mostly small wind slabs formed. These are lying on unfavourable layers.

In all altitude zones only a little snow is lying. Snow depths vary greatly, depending on the infuence of the wind. Faceted weak layers exist in the bottom section of the snowpack in particular on shady slopes.

Tendency

The mostly shallow wind slabs of the weekend remain prone to triggering in particular on very steep shady slopes.


Danger level

treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline


Wind slabs require caution.

The mostly small wind slabs are in some cases prone to triggering in particular on very steep shady slopes. Caution is to be exercised in particular adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls.
Apart from the danger of being buried, restraint should be exercised as well in view of the danger of avalanches sweeping people along and giving rise to falls.

Snowpack

dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind

The snowpack remains subject to considerable local variations. The snowpack will be in some cases prone to triggering. In some cases the various wind slabs have bonded still only poorly with the old snowpack.
The old wind slabs are lying on soft layers above approximately 2400 m. Faceted weak layers exist in the bottom section of the snowpack in particular on shady slopes.

Tendency

The avalanche danger will persist.