Avalanche.report

Wednesday 18 12 2019

Published 18 12 2019, 08:00

Regions
Texel Mountains, Sarntal Alps, Ortler Range, Southern Stubai Alps, Ulten Valley


Danger level
Danger Level 3 - Considerable above 2200m
Danger Level 2 - Moderate above 2200m
Avalanche Problem
Wind-drifted snow above 2200m, N-NE-E-SE-S-SW-W-NW


Wind slabs require caution.

As a consequence of fresh snow and a strong to storm force southwesterly wind, sometimes easily released wind slabs formed in particular at intermediate and high altitudes. The wind has transported the old snow. In particular transitions from a shallow to a deep snowpack are dangerous. The number and size of avalanche prone locations will increase with altitude. Remotely triggered and natural avalanches are possible in isolated cases. Snow sport activities outside marked and open pistes call for meticulous route selection. The avalanche prone locations are prevalent and are barely recognisable because of the poor visibility. The wind slabs represent the main danger. As the penetration by moisture increases more small and medium-sized gliding avalanches are possible below approximately 2400 m.

Snowpack

The fresh and older wind slabs remain for the foreseeable future prone to triggering in all aspects above approximately 2000 m. As a consequence of the southerly wind the wind slabs will increase in size additionally. They are lying on soft layers. On wind-loaded slopes a precarious avalanche situation will be encountered over a wide area. The wind will be storm force.

Tendency

The snow sport conditions outside marked and open pistes are precarious.

Regions
Val Müstair Alps, Langtaufers


Danger level
Danger Level 3 - Considerable above the treeline
Danger Level 2 - Moderate above the treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind-drifted snow above 2200m, N-NE-E-SE-NW
Persistent weak layer, N-NE-E-SE-S-SW-W-NW


Wind slabs and weakly bonded old snow require caution.

Faceted weak layers exist in the bottom section of the old snowpack here. As a consequence of a strong to storm force wind, sometimes easily released wind slabs formed in the last few days in particular above the tree line. In particular transitions from a shallow to a deep snowpack are dangerous. Remotely triggered and natural avalanches are possible in isolated cases. Snow sport activities outside marked and open pistes call for meticulous route selection. The avalanche prone locations are prevalent and are barely recognisable because of the poor visibility.

Snowpack

The fresh and older wind slabs remain prone to triggering in particular on northeast to north to southeast facing aspects above approximately 2200 m. They are lying on soft layers. As a consequence of the southerly wind the wind slabs will increase in size additionally. The wind was storm force. On wind-loaded slopes a precarious avalanche situation will be encountered over a wide area.

Tendency

Regions
Sexten Dolomites, Eastern Pfunderer Mountains, Durreck Range, Western Rieserferner Mountains, Western Deferegger Alps, Schnals Ridge, Northern Zillertal Alps, Venediger Range, Southern Zillertal Alps and High Tauern, Eastern Nonsberger Alps, Eastern Rieserferner Mountains, Northern Dolomites of Fiemme, Saldurn-Mastaun Ridge, Glockner Range, Gröden Dolomites, Eastern Deferegger Alps, Prags Dolomites, Schober Mountains, Western Pfunderer Mountains, Lienzer Dolomites


Danger level
Danger Level 2 - Moderate
Avalanche Problem
Wind-drifted snow above 2200m, N-NE-E-NW
Gliding snow above 2600m, E-SE-S-SW-W


Wind slabs represent the main danger. Gliding avalanches can also occur.

The wind slabs of the last few days represent the main danger. These can be released, especially by large additional loads, in particular on northwest to north to east facing aspects above approximately 2200 m. As a consequence of a strong southerly wind, further wind slabs will form in particular in high Alpine regions. They are barely recognisable because of the poor visibility.
Weak layers in the upper part of the snowpack can still be released in very isolated cases on very steep sunny slopes, especially above approximately 2500 m. Avalanches are rather small. These avalanche prone locations are barely recognisable, even to the trained eye.
As the moisture increases there will be an increase in the danger of gliding avalanches and moist snow slides. Snow sport activities outside marked and open pistes call for experience in the assessment of avalanche danger and a certain restraint.

Snowpack

dp 6: cold, loose snow and wind
dp 2: gliding snow

The fresh and older wind slabs are lying on soft layers in particular on shady slopes at high altitude. Faceted weak layers exist in the top section of the old snowpack on steep sunny slopes. These can in very isolated cases be released, in particular by large loads. At low and intermediate altitudes the snow is moist, also on sunny slopes below approximately 2600 m.

Tendency

The avalanche danger will persist.