The avalanche-prone wind slabs are lying on top of a weakly bonded old snowpack. They represent the main danger.
As a consequence of the sometimes storm force wind the wind slabs will increase in size additionally.
The fresh and older wind slabs can be released very easily. They are barely recognisable. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular on southwest to north to southeast facing aspects above approximately 2200 m and on steep south facing slopes above approximately 2400 m. In particular in shady places that are protected from the wind avalanches can release the weakly bonded old snow as well and reach quite a large size. Caution is to be exercised in particular at the base of rock walls and behind abrupt changes in the terrain, as well as in gullies and bowls.
Whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack are a clear indication of a weakly bonded snowpack.
Snowpack
dp.5: snowfall after a long period of cold dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
15 to 25 cm of snow fell in the last few days. The strong wind has transported the new snow significantly. Up to 10 cm of snow will fall. As a consequence of the sometimes storm force wind the wind slabs will increase in size additionally.
In some cases the various wind slabs have bonded poorly. The wind slabs are lying on top of a weakly bonded old snowpack. The old snowpack is faceted.
The snowpack will be generally subject to considerable local variations. Only a small amount of snow is lying for the time of year in all altitude zones.
Tendency
Weakly bonded old snow represents the main danger.
Danger level
1800m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
1800m
Wind slabs require caution.
The wind slabs of the last few days remain prone to triggering. These can be released even by a single winter sport participant in particular on northwest to north to east facing aspects above approximately 1800 m. Caution is to be exercised in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. Individual avalanche prone locations are to be found also on wind-protected south facing slopes. In isolated cases avalanches are medium-sized. Apart from the danger of being buried, restraint should be exercised in particular in view of the danger of avalanches sweeping people along and giving rise to falls.
Snowpack
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind dp.5: snowfall after a long period of cold
5 to 20 cm of snow fell in the last few days. In some cases the various wind slabs have bonded poorly with each other and the old snowpack.
The old snowpack consists of faceted crystals. The snowpack will be generally subject to considerable local variations. Only a small amount of snow is lying for the time of year in all altitude zones.
Tendency
Wind slabs are to be evaluated with care and prudence.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Wind slabs represent the main danger. They can be released easily.
The fresh wind slabs can be released easily by a single winter sport participant.
The avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular on southwest to north to southeast facing aspects above the tree line and on steep south facing slopes above approximately 2400 m. In many cases avalanches are rather small. In particular in shady places that are protected from the wind they can release the weakly bonded old snow as well and reach medium size. Whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack can indicate the danger. Remotely triggered avalanches are possible in isolated cases, especially at elevated altitudes. Caution is to be exercised in particular at the base of rock walls and behind abrupt changes in the terrain, as well as in gullies and bowls. In the regions neighbouring those that are subject to danger level 3 (considerable) the avalanche prone locations are more prevalent and larger.
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 dp.5: snowfall after a long period of cold
Up to 30 cm of snow fell in the last few days. As a consequence of the sometimes storm force wind the wind slabs will increase in size additionally.
The fresh wind slabs are lying on top of a weakly bonded old snowpack in particular on steep shady slopes. The old snowpack is faceted. In some cases the various wind slabs have bonded poorly together.
The snowpack will be generally subject to considerable local variations. Only a small amount of snow is lying for the time of year in all altitude zones.
Tendency
Wind slabs are to be evaluated critically.
Danger level
2200m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2200m
The avalanche-prone wind slabs are lying on top of a weakly bonded old snowpack. They represent the main danger.
As a consequence of the sometimes storm force wind the wind slabs will increase in size additionally.
The fresh and older wind slabs can be released by a single winter sport participant. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular on southwest to north to southeast facing aspects above approximately 2200 m and on steep south facing slopes above approximately 2400 m. In particular in shady places that are protected from the wind avalanches can release the weakly bonded old snow as well and reach medium size. Caution is to be exercised in particular at the base of rock walls and behind abrupt changes in the terrain, as well as in gullies and bowls. In the regions neighbouring those that are subject to danger level 3 (considerable) the prevalence and size of the avalanche prone locations will increase.
Whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack can indicate the danger.
Snowpack
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind dp.5: snowfall after a long period of cold
5 to 15 cm of snow fell in the last few days. The strong wind has transported the new snow significantly. The wind will be strong at times.
In some cases the various wind slabs have bonded poorly with each other and the old snowpack. The wind slabs are lying on top of a weakly bonded old snowpack. The old snowpack is faceted.
The snowpack will be generally subject to considerable local variations. Only a small amount of snow is lying for the time of year in all altitude zones.
Tendency
Wind slabs are to be evaluated critically.
Danger level
1800m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
1800m
Wind slabs are to be found adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls.
The wind slabs remain prone to triggering in particular on northwest to north to east facing aspects above approximately 1800 m. In isolated cases avalanches are medium-sized and can be released by a single winter sport participant. Caution is to be exercised in particular adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls. Along the border with Slovenia the avalanche prone locations are more prevalent. Apart from the danger of being buried, restraint should be exercised in particular in view of the danger of avalanches sweeping people along and giving rise to falls.
Snowpack
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind dp.5: snowfall after a long period of cold
5 to 15 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, fell in the last few days. The wind slabs are lying on unfavourable layers on shady slopes above approximately 1800 m. The old snowpack consists of faceted crystals.
Only a small amount of snow is lying for the time of year in all altitude zones.
Tendency
Wind slabs represent the main danger.
Danger level
1800m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
1800m
Wind slabs are lying on top of a weakly bonded old snowpack.
Wind slabs are to be found in particular in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. Avalanches can in isolated cases be released in the old snowpack. The avalanche prone locations are rare but are easy to recognise. Mostly avalanches are small. Apart from the danger of being buried, restraint should be exercised in particular in view of the danger of avalanches sweeping people along and giving rise to falls.
Snowpack
2 to 10 cm of snow has fallen since Friday. The wind slabs are lying on top of a weakly bonded old snowpack in particular on wind-protected shady slopes. The old snowpack is faceted. The snowpack will be generally subject to considerable local variations. Only a small amount of snow is lying for the time of year in all altitude zones.
Tendency
Low avalanche danger will persist.
Danger level
2000m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
2000m
Wind slabs require caution.
The mostly shallow wind slabs can be released by a single winter sport participant in some cases especially on very steep shady slopes above approximately 2000 m. Caution is to be exercised in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. Mostly avalanches are only small. In the regions neighbouring those that are subject to danger level 2 (moderate) the avalanche prone locations are larger.
Snowpack
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
In particular along the border with Styria 5 to 10 cm of snow fell in the last few days. The wind has transported the new snow. This applies in particular in the vicinity of peaks. The wind slabs are lying on unfavourable layers at elevated altitudes.
The old snowpack consists of faceted crystals. The snowpack will be generally subject to considerable local variations. Only a small amount of snow is lying for the time of year in all altitude zones.
