Moderate is the rating you see most often in winter. It sounds reassuring, but the bulletin is pointing at specific steep slopes and load scenarios — not a green light for every line.
Snowpack stability
The snowpack is only moderately well bonded on some steep slopes; otherwise well bonded in general.
Likelihood of triggering
Triggering is possible, primarily from high additional loads, particularly on the indicated steep slopes. Very large natural avalanches are unlikely.
What this means in practice
Triggering is possible, primarily from high additional loads, particularly on the indicated steep slopes. Very large natural avalanches are unlikely.
Typical danger signs
Often you get no danger signs, but that does not necessarily mean it is safe. Pay extra attention if Persistent weak layer is one of the avalanche problems.
Season & fatalities (EAWS)
- Forecast for around 50% of the winter season.
- Around 30% of avalanche fatalities.
These figures come from the European Avalanche Warning Services (EAWS). Low and moderate days cover most of the season — yet considerable (level 3) accounts for about half of fatalities. High (level 4) is rare but still claims around 10% of victims.
Official source
Snowpack stability and likelihood of triggering on this page follow the official EAWS danger scale text.
EAWS avalanche danger scale →