For those venturing off piste a dangerous avalanche situation will be encountered over a wide area.
The large quantity of fresh snow and the sometimes large wind slabs that are forming in all aspects can be released easily or naturally above the tree line. Avalanches can be triggered in near-surface layers and reach large size in isolated cases. Additionally in some places avalanches can penetrate near-ground layers of the snowpack, especially on west, north and east facing slopes above approximately 2200 m. The danger exists primarily in alpine snow sports terrain.
In addition dry loose snow avalanches are possible, especially on extremely steep slopes.
Snowpack
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind dp.1: deep persistent weak layer
20 to 30 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, fell in the past few hours. 20 to 30 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, will fall until the afternoon. The wind will be storm force. The wind will transport the new snow significantly. Deep wind slabs will form.
The new snow and wind slabs are lying on the unfavourable surface of an old snowpack above the tree line. The old snowpack will be weakly bonded, especially on west, north and east facing slopes above approximately 2200 m, and on south facing slopes at elevated altitudes.
Tendency
As a consequence of a moderate to strong wind from northerly directions, further wind slabs will form.
Avalanches can as before be released easily.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Persistent weak layer
2200m
A sometimes precarious avalanche situation will prevail.
Wind slabs are prone to triggering in all aspects above the tree line. These can be released in near-surface layers. Avalanches can in isolated cases penetrate near-ground layers of the snowpack and reach medium size on west, north and east facing slopes. Natural avalanches are possible. This applies especially at the base of rock walls and behind abrupt changes in the terrain.
Snowpack
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind dp.1: deep persistent weak layer
10 to 20 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, has fallen. The wind will be strong to storm force. The northwesterly wind will transport the new snow. Further wind slabs will form.
The new snow and wind slabs are lying on the unfavourable surface of an old snowpack above the tree line. The old snowpack will be weakly bonded, especially on west, north and east facing slopes above approximately 2200 m, and on south facing slopes at elevated altitudes.
Tendency
As a consequence of a sometimes storm force wind from northerly directions, further wind slabs will form.
Avalanches can be released easily.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Persistent weak layer
2200m
Natural avalanches are to be expected.
Outside marked and open pistes a precarious avalanche situation will prevail.
The fresh snow and in particular the extensive wind slabs that are forming in all aspects are very prone to triggering above the tree line. These can be released in near-surface layers and reach medium size. Avalanches can also penetrate near-ground layers of the snowpack and reach large size on west, north and east facing slopes.
Natural avalanches are to be expected. This applies especially at the base of rock walls and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. The runout zones are to be avoided as well.
In addition an appreciable danger of loose snow avalanches exists.
Snowpack
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind dp.1: deep persistent weak layer
Up to 20 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, fell in the past few hours. In particular along the border with Salzburg 10 to 15 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, will fall. The wind will be storm force. The northwesterly wind will transport the new snow significantly. Further wind slabs will form.
The new snow and wind slabs are lying on the unfavourable surface of an old snowpack above the tree line. The old snowpack will be weakly bonded, especially on west, north and east facing slopes above approximately 2200 m, and on south facing slopes at elevated altitudes.
Tendency
As a consequence of new snow and a sometimes storm force wind from northerly directions, further wind slabs will form.
Avalanches can be released very easily.
Danger level
1600m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
1600m
Persistent weak layer
1900m
An unfavourable avalanche situation will prevail. Wind slabs and weakly bonded old snow require caution.
Wind slabs are prone to triggering in all aspects above approximately 1600 m. These can be released in near-surface layers. Avalanches can in isolated cases penetrate near-ground layers of the snowpack and reach medium size on west, north and east facing slopes. Individual natural avalanches are possible. This applies especially at the base of rock walls and behind abrupt changes in the terrain.
In addition in the regions exposed to heavier precipitation, loose snow avalanches are possible.
Snowpack
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind dp.1: deep persistent weak layer
10 to 20 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, fell in the past few hours. In particular in the Karwanks Central and in the Karwanks East up to 10 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, will fall. The wind will be strong to storm force. The northwesterly wind will transport the new snow significantly. Further wind slabs will form.
The new snow and wind slabs are lying on the unfavourable surface of an old snowpack above the tree line. The old snowpack will be weakly bonded, especially on west, north and east facing slopes above approximately 1900 m.
Tendency
As a consequence of a sometimes storm force wind from northerly directions, further wind slabs will form.
Avalanches can be released easily.
Danger level
1600m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
1600m
Persistent weak layer
1900m
Fresh wind slabs are to be avoided.
Wind slabs can be released by a single winter sport participant in all aspects. Avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. Mostly avalanches are medium-sized.
In very isolated cases avalanches can also penetrate near-ground layers of the snowpack. Caution is to be exercised in particular on very steep west, north and east facing slopes above approximately 1900 m. Especially transitions from a shallow to a deep snowpack are unfavourable.
Individual natural avalanches are not entirely ruled out.
Snowpack
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind dp.1: deep persistent weak layer
In some regions 10 to 20 cm of snow has fallen. The wind will be strong to storm force. The northwesterly wind will transport the new snow. Further wind slabs will form.
The new snow and wind slabs are lying on the unfavourable surface of an old snowpack above the tree line. The old snowpack will be weakly bonded, especially on west, north and east facing slopes above approximately 1900 m.
