Update of the avalanche report for Monday 23 December 2024.

The off-piste conditions are unfavourable.

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

all day, above the treeline, we have a wind slab problem. This in all aspects. Furthermore, all day, above 2200 meter, we have a persistent weak layer problem. This in all aspects.

The extensive wind slabs can be released easily, even by a single winter sport participant, in all aspects above the tree line. Individual avalanche prone locations are to be found also in areas close to the tree line. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. They are numerous and are barely recognisable because of the poor visibility. Whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack can indicate the danger. Some medium-sized natural avalanches are possible as a consequence of the strong northwesterly wind. Avalanches can in some cases penetrate near-ground layers of the snowpack and reach large size. On steep grassy slopes individual gliding avalanches are possible. Caution is to be exercised in areas with glide cracks.

And now the snowpack:

15 to 30 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, fell on Sunday. Monday: Over a wide area 10 to 20 cm of snow will fall until the evening. As a consequence of a gathering storm force wind from northerly directions, further wind slabs will form from the middle of the day in all aspects. The new snow and wind slabs are lying on top of a weakly bonded old snowpack at high altitudes and in high Alpine regions. Released avalanches and field observations have confirmed poor snowpack stability especially above approximately 2200 m.

The tendency for Tuesday 24 December 2024 indicates an increasing avalanche danger.

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