A very dangerous avalanche situation will prevail. The danger exists in particular in alpine snow sports terrain.
The large quantity of fresh snow and the extensive wind slabs that are being formed by the strong westerly wind are very prone to triggering in all aspects above the tree line. Such avalanche prone locations are to be found also in areas close to the tree line.
As a consequence of new snow and wind natural avalanches are to be expected until late in the night. Avalanches can in some cases penetrate deep layers and reach large size. This applies on west, north and east facing slopes.
With the end of the snowfall, the natural avalanche activity will slowly decrease. In particular in the regions exposed to the foehn wind more natural avalanches are possible as a consequence of the strong to storm force northwesterly wind. Caution is to be exercised in particular in leeward starting zones.
Snowpack
dp.1: deep persistent weak layer dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
In some regions 10 to 20 cm of snow will fall until late morning. The wind will be moderate to strong. The wind will be storm force at times in particular in the Southern Zillertal Alps and High Tauern and along the border with South Tyrol. The wind will transport the new snow. Further wind slabs will form.
The snowpack will be prone to triggering over a wide area. The new snow and wind slabs are lying on top of a weakly bonded old snowpack. Somewhat older wind slabs are lying on surface hoar. Distinct weak layers exist in the bottom section of the old snowpack. This applies in particular on west, north and east facing slopes above the tree line.
Tendency
Some snow will fall in some regions. The rain will give rise to softening of the snowpack at low and intermediate altitudes. As a consequence of a sometimes storm force wind from westerly directions, further wind slabs will form on Saturday. The snow sport conditions outside marked and open pistes remain very dangerous. Avalanches can be released very easily. More natural avalanches are possible.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
Treeline
Wind slab
Treeline
New snow
Treeline
The conditions are very dangerous for winter sport activities outside marked and open pistes. Remotely triggered and natural avalanches are to be expected.
Outside marked and open pistes a very dangerous avalanche situation will prevail. The danger exists in particular in alpine snow sports terrain.
Wind slabs are very prone to triggering in all aspects above the tree line, caution is to be exercised, including in areas close to the tree line. Avalanches can be released in near-surface layers of the snowpack. Additionally avalanches can also penetrate near-ground layers of the snowpack and reach large size on west, north and east facing slopes. Whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack and fresh avalanches serve as an alarm indicating the danger. Remotely triggered avalanches are possible.
As a consequence of the strong to storm force foehn wind from the north more natural avalanches are to be expected. This applies in case of releases originating from very steep leeward starting zones, in particular at the base of rock walls and behind abrupt changes in the terrain.
On very steep slopes small and medium-sized loose snow avalanches are possible.
Snowpack
dp.1: deep persistent weak layer dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
20 to 40 cm of snow has fallen since Thursday. On Friday the wind will be strong to storm force. The wind will transport the new snow. Further wind slabs will form.
The snowpack will be prone to triggering over a wide area. The new snow and wind slabs are lying on top of a weakly bonded old snowpack. Somewhat older wind slabs are lying on surface hoar. Distinct weak layers exist in the bottom section of the old snowpack. This applies in particular on west, north and east facing slopes above the tree line.
Tendency
The off-piste conditions are very dangerous. Weak layers in the old snowpack represent the main danger.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
Treeline
Wind slab
Treeline
Fresh wind slabs are to be evaluated critically. Weak layers in the old snowpack can be released in isolated cases.
Weak layers in the old snowpack can be released in isolated cases by individual winter sport participants especially in little used terrain. Caution is to be exercised in particular on steep west, north and east facing slopes above the tree line. The avalanche prone locations are difficult to recognise. Mostly avalanches are medium-sized.
In addition the wind slabs in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain are prone to triggering in some cases still. Such avalanche prone locations are to be found on north, east and southeast facing slopes above the tree line.
Restraint is advisable.
Snowpack
dp.1: deep persistent weak layer dp.8: surface hoar blanketed with snow
10 to 20 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, has fallen since Thursday. In some regions 10 to 20 cm of snow will fall until late morning. The wind will be strong to storm force in some localities. The sometimes storm force wind will transport the new snow. Sometimes avalanche prone wind slabs will form.
The snowpack will be in some cases prone to triggering. The new snow and wind slabs are lying on top of a weakly bonded old snowpack. This applies in particular on west, north and east facing slopes above the tree line.
Tendency
Weak layers in the old snowpack represent the main danger.
