Category: Current situation

 In a nutshell… Till now the Easter holidays have been much too cool for this juncture of the season (Easter has been colder than Christmas). On the other hand, that meant that the snow which fell this week was able to remain good powder for a long time. The near-surface weak layer problem generated by…

 In a nutshell… Rounding out the recent Blog, we want to draw your attention to the potential development of a weak layer due to cold on warm (dp.4).  All signs currently point to a layer at very high altitudes on sunny slopes (bordering on a layer which last week was the moist-to-wet snowpack surface, then got blanketed…

 In a nutshell… Today (Thursday, 30.03.2023) the recently fallen snow was moistened up to high altitudes by the warm April weather. Thereby, a pronounced “slab” was formed. An avalanche is likely to trigger wherever there are weak layers inside the snowpack. Most of the slab-avalanche prone locations currently occur on very steep NE/E facing slopes…

 In a nutshell… Lots of fresh snow regionally, strong-to-storm strength winds, low temperatures and anticipated solar radiation are all adding up to an accident-prone avalanche situation. Winter sports enthusiasts can easily trigger slab avalanches in steep terrain in the areas of major precipitation. Tomorrow (28.03 which is expected will weaken the snowpack further, despite low…

In a nutshell… Last week was marked by the snowpack becoming increasingly wet up to high altitudes. Numerous avalanches triggered, mostly wet loose-snow and glide-snow avalanches. As a result of highly variable weather conditions the avalanche situation in the morning hours is often very unfavourable up to high altitudes for winter sports enthusiasts. Avalanche danger…

 Summing it up Several avalanches have been triggered by winter sports enthusiasts during the last few days, increasingly on very steep slopes above 2500m in NE/E/SE aspects. The heightened proneness to triggering of weak layers inside the snowpack was the result of pronounced slabs (see last blog) which formed recently. Most avalanches releases were caused by a…

 To start off Mild weather during the next few days is intensifying the wet-snow problem. Wetness seeping into snowpack is weakening it. Avalanches can more easily be triggered by winter sports enthusiasts. Also naturally triggered avalanches are more likely. Crucial: good tour planning, reasonable time allotment, adequate equipment and experience in assessing avalanche danger on-site.…

 The overall picture Springtime is well known to have a few surprises up its sleeve. Accordingly, the snowpack can moisten thoroughly (at least the surface layer) within the shortest imaginable time due to diffuse radiation, increased air moisture and higher temperatures. This, in turn, transforms the slab. Or else, water seeps down into the snowpack…

 Summing it up Since yesterday, 01.03.2023, the avalanche danger level in Tirol has been low. We assume there are only few danger zones where avalanches can be triggered, if at all, then on shady slopes at high altitudes. Nevertheless, we are currently observing the development of a potential weak layer due to Danger Pattern “cold…

 In short: The lack of precipitation this winter is quite striking in the snow cover. For this juncture of the season there is much too little snow on the ground, not only here in Tirol but in far-reaching parts of the Alps. See also the Blog of our colleagues in Switzerland. Avalanche danger levels are moderate, particularly on…