Significant avalanche danger! Fresh drift snow down to the edge of the forest.
The avalanche danger is considerable above 1600 metres and moderate below. The danger comes from fresh accumulations of drift snow that have formed both near and far from the crest. Areas in the east and south sectors behind terrain edges and in entrances to gullies and hollows down to below the tree line are particularly affected. Slab avalanches can be triggered in some places even with low additional loads. The avalanches can reach medium size.
Snowpack
Over the past few days, cold fresh snow has fallen on a layer of snow slightly moistened by the mild weekend and, at high altitudes, on a layer that has remained powdery in places. With the further snow accumulation (up to 30 cm along the western northern Alps) on Christmas Eve and the stormy wind from the north-west, there will be extensive snow drifts. While the summits and ridges were blown off, the drift snow can reach below the tree line. Soft deposits within the drift snow packs and the increasingly poor connection to the old snow can act as weak layers.
Tendency
The drift snow problem is slowly subsiding and the risk of avalanches is decreasing.
Danger level
Avalanche Problem
New snow
Moderate avalanche danger due to drifting snow at high altitudes!
The avalanche danger is moderate above approx. 1600 metres and low below. The number of danger spots has increased with the stormy wind. Accumulations of drift snow can be found above approx. 1,600 m, mainly in the east to south sector behind terrain edges and in gullies and hollows. Caution is required especially in high-lying areas near the main Alpine ridge, where more fresh snow was recorded. Small to medium-sized slab avalanches can be triggered even with a small additional load.
Snowpack
The snow cover is still thin in the southern mountain ranges of Styria and along the eastern edge of the Alps. A little fresh snow has fallen on top of a layer of harsh snow in the last few days or, on the sunny side, lawns have been covered again. Only in gullies and hollows is the snow cover thicker due to fresh drifts. Smaller accumulations of drift snow are sometimes not well connected to the foundation. Blown-off areas are hard or icy.
Tendency
The drift snow problem is slowly subsiding and the risk of avalanches is decreasing.
