The snow cover is influenced by the weather, i.e. wind, temperature, solar radiation and precipitation. “Conditions” refers to the interaction of the factors “weather” and “snow cover”.

• New or old snow carried by the wind is particularly brittle and is ideal as a “board”. This snowdrift can optimally transfer tensions and thus lead to the dreaded “breakage propagation”.
• Temperature affects snow cover; it promotes the formation of weak layers or leads to warming in the snow cover and, as a result, to its destabilization.
• The sun's radiation also influences the snow cover. By heating the upper layers, they become moist and can then freeze.
• Precipitation (fresh snow or rain) often increases the risk of avalanches. A new layer of snow may cause a slab to form. Rain moistens and weakens the snow cover. Both – rain and snow – represent an additional burden.