Caution: fresh, often highly trigger-sensitive snowdrift masses due to heavy wind impact

 Avalanche prone locations on the increase due to wind

The snowfall from the beginning of this week (28.11-29.11) fell with little wind influence but is currently being transported far-reachingly by stormy southerly winds. This is causing avalanche danger to increase. The problem: freshly generated snowdrift accumulations.

Snow cover examinations and observations in outlying terrain confirm the frequently high trigger-sensitivity of the snowpack. Avalanche prone locations are found in wind-loaded steep terrain above the timberline, mostly on shady slopes to begin with, in all aspects at higher altitudes. Visibility permitting, the danger zones are easy to recognise. Avalanches are generally small, sometimes medium-sized. Fracture depths are still shallow, somewhat deeper behind abrupt discontinuities in the terrain.

Weak snowpack plus danger of injuries from rocks

In many places there is not much snow on the ground. The snowpack is often weak with only thin, loose layers between shallow crusts. In addition, fresh snowdrifts lie deposited on top of generally loose, cold fresh snow - currently an extremely trigger-sensitive weak layer.

Conditions for ski tours in outlying terrain away from secured ski runs are bad, and for two reasons: first of all, there is too little snow (danger of injuries from rocks); and where there is more snow (e.g. in wind-loaded zones) there are frequent danger zones due to the highly trigger-sensitive snowpack, namely, weak layers with a slab on top of them.

Our message to winter sports enthusiasts: rigorously avoid fresh snowdrift accumulations in steep terrain. In spite of the small amount of snow, the conditions are frequently highly unfavourable. 

Here are a few impressions of the current situation:

Small slab. Bergeralm. Stubai Alps (photo: 03.12.2022) (c) Martin Mühlegger

A storm-strength wind is often blowing in the heights. The powder snow which fell at the beginning of the week, amid little wind, is being massively transported.

Snow transport in southern East Tirol (photo: 02.12.2022)

A “crust sandwich” in the Deferegger mountains (photo: 26.11.2022)

Remote triggering on 25.11 in the Glockner Massif where there is lots of snow. (photo: 25.11.2022) 

Frequently not enough snow to ski in open terrain. Lampsenspitze (photo: 27.11.2022)