Author: Jeffrey McCabe

There has been significant snowfall in recent days particularly in the Zillertal Alps and Hohe Tauern: 30-80cm of fresh fallen snow has been registered at about 2800m since Monday evening, 07.07, most of which fell in the Venediger Massif. Strong velocity northerly winds transported the fresh snow far-reachingly. Freshly generated snowdrift accumulations can be prone…

With the year’s first heat wave, the last deep-lying weak layers on north-facing high-alpine slopes are being thoroughly moistened for the first time. This significant wetness is leading to naturally triggered, wet-snow avalanche activity. Whoever is en route in the high Alps needs to terminate their tour early in the day. Naturally triggered wet slab…

The main danger of avalanches still stems from the wet-snow problem, quite in step with the season. Due to outgoing longwave radiation and consolidation of the snowpack during nocturnal hours followed by higher daytime temperatures and solar radiation, avalanches are subject to a daytime danger cycle. Over the next few days, air will become gradually…

Last week was marked by variable April weather conditions, avalanche danger considerable regionally at the start then moderate then low. Wet-snow and snowdrifts were the prevalent problems. Two avalanche incidents involving persons occurred: on 20.04 two persons below the Liebenerspitze in the Gurgler Massif were caught in a slab avalanche. On 19.04 the snow melted…

Last week avalanche dangers began to increase due to a thoroughly wet snowpack. A marked drop in temperatures and dry air masses led to a very favorable avalanche situation with low danger. Now the overall weather front is changing again: it’s getting warmer and successively wetter. Wet-snow problems are again coming to the forefront. Review…

Due to mild temperatures the snowpack has settled and consolidated in the last few days. Danger zones for dry-snow slab avalanches now occur only in isolated places. Due to mild temperatures and solar radiation, danger of wet-snow avalanches fluctuates in a daytime cycle. The current high-pressure front is expected to last beyond the weekend. Isolated…

Over the last few days there has been heavy snowfall in our northern and eastern regions. Precipitation was often accompanied by storm-strength winds. High-pressure front conditions are will bring serene and sunny weather starting on Wednesday, but the avalanche situation will improve only slowly. One sole person can easily trigger slab avalanches in some places,…

Last week was marked by variable conditions and advancing snowpack wetness. In that scenario, glide-snow and loose-snow avalanches frequently released. In addition, a persistent weak layer threatens in places on the Main Alpine Ridge and in East Tirol. It will turn wintery again over the next few days, esp. in North Tirol. Fresh snowdrifts will…