Avalanche report for Friday 20 December 2024.

Increase in avalanche danger as a consequence of new snow and wind. Fresh wind slabs represent the main danger. Weak layers in the lower part of the snowpack necessitate caution.

all day it applies above the treeline moderate avalanche danger, so danger level two, below low avalanche danger, so danger level one.

all day, above the treeline, we have a wind slab problem. Especially in the aspects North-West to North to South-East. Furthermore, all day, above 2200 meter, we have a persistent weak layer problem. Especially in the aspects North-West to North to East.

The fresh wind slabs are prone to triggering on northwest to north to southeast facing aspects above the tree line. Even single winter sport participants can release avalanches in some places, including medium-sized ones. The avalanche prone locations are to be found adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls. The prevalence of such avalanche prone locations will increase with altitude. Shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack can indicate the danger. Avalanches can in isolated cases penetrate near-ground layers of the snowpack and reach quite a large size. Caution is to be exercised in particular on very steep northwest, north and east facing slopes above approximately 2200 m. Especially slopes adjacent to ridgelines are unfavourable. Mostly small gliding avalanches are possible on steep grassy slopes.

And now the snowpack:

Over a wide area 10 to 20 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, will fall until midday. The fresh snow as well as the wind slabs that are being formed by the moderate to strong northwesterly wind will be deposited on a weakly bonded old snowpack especially on north and east facing slopes. The new snow and wind slabs will be deposited on a crust on steep sunny slopes and generally at low and intermediate altitudes.

The tendency for Saturday 21 December 2024 indicates a steady avalanche danger.

Have a nice day and don't forget to be careful!