Even single freeriders can release avalanches very easily.
A very dangerous avalanche situation will prevail. The danger exists in particular in alpine snow sports terrain.
The new snow and wind slabs of the last few days are lying on top of a weakly bonded old snowpack. The fresh snow of Saturday and the wind slabs formed by the strong to storm force westerly wind remain very prone to triggering in all aspects above the tree line. The avalanche prone locations are numerous. They are to be found in all altitude zones, especially in areas close to the tree line, as well as above the tree line.
More natural avalanches are possible. Avalanches can in some cases penetrate deep layers and reach large size. This applies on west, north and east facing slopes.
In addition individual wet and gliding avalanches are possible. This applies especially on cut and grassy slopes below approximately 1800 m.
The conditions are very dangerous for backcountry touring and other off-piste activities outside marked and open pistes.
Snowpack
dp.1: deep persistent weak layer dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
20 to 30 cm of snow, and up to 40 cm in some localities, fell on Saturday. The wind will be strong in some cases. The wind will transport the new snow. Further wind slabs will form. Up to intermediate altitudes rain has fallen.
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 snow sport conditions outside marked and open pistes remain dangerous. Avalanches can be released very easily.
Danger level
1800m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
1800m
Wind slab
1800m
Wet snow
1800m
A sometimes unfavourable avalanche situation will prevail.
Wind slabs can be released by a single winter sport participant above approximately 1800 m. Avalanches can also penetrate near-ground layers of the snowpack and reach medium size on west, north and east facing slopes. Remotely triggered avalanches are possible in isolated cases.
As a consequence of warming during the day and solar radiation small and, in isolated cases, medium-sized moist loose snow avalanches are possible.
Snowpack
dp.1: deep persistent weak layer dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
30 to 50 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, has fallen since Thursday. Somewhat older wind slabs are lying on surface hoar in some places. Distinct weak layers exist in the old snowpack in particular on west, north and east facing slopes.
The weather conditions as the day progresses will give rise to significant moistening of the snowpack.
Tendency
Increase in danger of moist and wet avalanches as a consequence of warming.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
Treeline
Wind slab
2000m
Wet snow
1800m
Outside marked and open pistes a sometimes precarious avalanche situation will prevail.
Wind slabs are very prone to triggering especially on west, north and east facing slopes above approximately 2000 m. Individual avalanche prone locations are to be found also on south facing slopes above approximately 2400 m. 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 in isolated cases on west, north and east facing slopes. Isolated whumpfing sounds and fresh avalanches serve as an alarm indicating the danger. Remotely triggered avalanches are possible.
Very isolated natural avalanches are not entirely ruled out.
As a consequence of warming during the day and solar radiation wet loose snow avalanches are possible. This applies especially on very steep slopes. Individual gliding avalanches can also occur. This applies in particular on cut and grassy slopes.
Snowpack
dp.1: deep persistent weak layer dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
20 to 40 cm of snow, and up to 60 cm in some localities, has fallen since Thursday. Thus far the wind has been strong to storm force. Some snow will fall. The wind will transport the 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 in some places. 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.
The weather conditions as the day progresses will give rise to moistening of the snowpack.
Tendency
Increase in danger of moist and wet avalanches as a consequence of warming.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
Treeline
Wind slab
2000m
Outside marked and open pistes a precarious avalanche situation will prevail. As a consequence of new snow and strong wind the wind slabs will increase in size once again.
Wind slabs are very prone to triggering in all aspects above approximately 2000 m. These can in many cases be released in near-surface layers of the snowpack. Avalanches can also penetrate near-ground layers of the snowpack and reach medium size on west, north and east facing slopes. As a consequence of the strong foehn wind from the north individual natural avalanches are possible as the day progresses. The runout zones are to be avoided. In addition as the day progresses especially at the base of rock walls, small loose snow avalanches are possible.
In the regions neighbouring those that are subject to danger level 4 (high) the avalanche prone locations are larger.
Snowpack
dp.1: deep persistent weak layer dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
15 to 30 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, has fallen since Thursday. Along the border with Salzburg 10 to 15 cm of snow will fall during the night. As a consequence of the strong wind the wind slabs will increase in size once again. Somewhat older wind slabs are lying on surface hoar. Distinct weak layers exist in the old snowpack in particular on west, north and east facing slopes.
Tendency
The snowpack remains prone to triggering. As a consequence of warming, the likelihood of moist avalanches being released will increase.
Danger level
1800m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
1800m
Wind slab
1800m
Fresh wind slabs are to be avoided.
Wind slabs are prone to triggering especially on west to north to east facing aspects. Individual avalanche prone locations are to be found also on south facing slopes above approximately 2200 m. These can be released in near-surface layers of the snowpack. The avalanche prone locations are clearly recognisable to the trained eye. Avalanches can in some cases penetrate near-ground layers of the snowpack and reach medium size on west, north and east facing slopes. Very isolated natural avalanches are not entirely ruled out. Isolated whumpfing sounds and shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack serve as an alarm indicating the danger. In the regions exposed to a lot of wind this applies at the base of rock walls and behind abrupt changes in the terrain.
As a consequence of warming during the day and solar radiation small moist loose snow avalanches are possible.
Snowpack
dp.1: deep persistent weak layer dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
15 to 25 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, has fallen since Thursday. The strong wind will transport the new snow. Over a wide area further wind slabs will form. Somewhat older wind slabs are lying on surface hoar in some places. Distinct weak layers exist in the old snowpack in particular on west, north and east facing slopes.
Tendency
Increase in danger of moist and wet avalanches as a consequence of warming.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Wet snow
1800m
Wind slabs require caution.
In particular on wind-loaded slopes avalanches can be triggered in the faceted old snow. This applies even in case of a single winter sport participant in some cases. In very isolated cases avalanches are medium-sized. Caution is to be exercised in particular on west, north and east facing slopes above the tree line. As a consequence of warming during the day and solar radiation small and, in isolated cases, medium-sized moist loose snow avalanches are possible.
As a consequence of warming during the day and solar radiation small moist loose snow avalanches are possible. In addition a latent danger of gliding avalanches exists.
Snowpack
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind dp.1: deep persistent weak layer
20 to 40 cm of snow has fallen. The strong wind will transport the new snow. Distinct weak layers exist in the old snowpack in particular on west, north and east facing slopes.
Tendency
Increase in danger of moist and wet avalanches as a consequence of warming.
