Avalanche.report Saturday 28 12 2019

Regions
Latemar, Southern Adamello, Primiero - Pale di S. Martino, Adamello - Presanella, Prealps, Northern Brenta - Peller, Cembra Valley, Bondone and Stivo, Vallarsa, Western Nonsberg Alps, Folgaria - Laverone, Southern Brenta, Fassa Valley, Sole, Pejo and Rabbi, Southern Lagorai, Ledro Valley, Northern Lagorai, Maddalene, Paganella, Marzola - Valsugana, Pine' - Mocheni Valley

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

The wind slabs represent the main danger.

Ski touring and other off-piste activities, including snowshoe hiking, call for meticulous route selection, in particular on steep slopes above approximately 1800 m. Great caution and restraint are advisable. The more recent wind slabs are extensive and can in some cases be released easily. Single winter sport participants can release avalanches very easily, in particular on wind-loaded slopes. Below approximately 2200 m small and medium-sized gliding avalanches are possible.

Snowpack

The wind slabs are to be found in particular adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls and generally in the high Alpine regions. They are extensive and prone to triggering. In some cases the wind slabs have bonded still only poorly with the old snowpack. The old snowpack will be moist below approximately 2200 m. In steep terrain there is a danger of falling on the icy crust. As a consequence of the strong foehn wind the prevalence and size of the avalanche prone locations will increase.

Tendency

The strong wind will transport the fresh and old snow. Wind slabs represent the main danger. In addition a latent danger of gliding avalanches exists, in particular in the regions with a lot of snow in particular below approximately 2200 m.

Regions
Glockturm Range, Weißkugel Range, Gurgler Range, Central Stubai Alps, Northern Zillertal Alps

Fresh wind slabs above the tree line.

Fresh and somewhat older wind slabs are in isolated cases quite large and in some cases prone to triggering. The wind will be strong to storm force in some cases. Sometimes easily released wind slabs will form. Caution is to be exercised in particular adjacent to ridgelines as well as in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain above the tree line. At high altitudes and in high Alpine regions small and, in isolated cases, medium-sized natural avalanches are possible as a consequence of the northerly wind.
Dry avalanches can additionally be released in deeper layers, even by small loads in isolated cases. This applies in particular on steep sunny slopes above approximately 2400 m. In particular transitions from a shallow to a deep snowpack are unfavourable.
Small to medium-sized gliding avalanches are possible below approximately 2600 m. This applies in particular on steep grassy slopes.
The current avalanche situation calls for experience in the assessment of avalanche danger.

Snowpack

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

The wind will be strong to storm force in some cases. As a consequence of the wind the wind slabs will increase in size once again. In some cases the various wind slabs have bonded still only poorly together. Faceted weak layers exist in the old snowpack in particular on steep sunny slopes. In some cases the various wind slabs have bonded still only poorly with the old snowpack.
At low and intermediate altitudes the snow is moist.

Tendency

Slight decrease in avalanche danger.

Regions
Western Verwall Mountains, Eastern Verwall Mountains, Allgäu Alps, Silvretta, Samnaun Mountains, Eastern Lechtal Alps - Ammergau Alps, Northern Oetz and Stubai Alps, Mieming Mountains, Western Tuxer Alps, Karwendel Mountains, Eastern Tuxer Alps, Brandenberg Alps, Western Kitzbühel Alps, Wilder Kaiser Mountains - Waidring Alps, Eastern Kitzbühel Alps, Western Lechtal Alps, Central Lechtal Alps, Grieskogel Mountains

Fresh wind slabs above the tree line.

The fresh and somewhat older wind slabs represent the main danger. They are to be bypassed in particular in steep terrain. Avalanches can in some places be released, even by a single winter sport participant and reach medium size. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain and adjacent to ridgelines, especially above the tree line. The number and size of avalanche prone locations will increase with altitude. In particular at high altitudes and in high Alpine regions individual medium-sized natural avalanches are possible as a consequence of the storm force northerly wind.
Especially below approximately 2600 m small and medium-sized gliding avalanches and moist snow slides are possible. Areas with glide cracks are to be avoided.

Snowpack

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

The fresh and older wind slabs of the last few days remain in some cases prone to triggering above the tree line. The sometimes strong wind will transport the snow. As a consequence of the wind the wind slabs will increase in size once again. In some cases the various wind slabs have bonded still only poorly together. At low and intermediate altitudes the snow is moist.

Tendency

Gradual decrease in avalanche danger.

Regions
Sexten Dolomites, Val Müstair Alps, Langtaufers, Schnals Ridge, Southern Stubai Alps, Southern Zillertal Alps and High Tauern, Saldurn-Mastaun Ridge, Texel Mountains, Sarntal Alps, Western Pfunderer Mountains, Eastern Pfunderer Mountains, Durreck Range, Western Rieserferner Mountains, Western Deferegger Alps, Ortler Range, Ulten Valley, Venediger Range, Eastern Nonsberger Alps, Eastern Rieserferner Mountains, Northern Dolomites of Fiemme, Glockner Range, Gröden Dolomites, Eastern Deferegger Alps, Prags Dolomites, Schober Mountains, Lienzer Dolomites

Slight increase in avalanche danger as a consequence of the storm force northerly wind. The fresh wind slabs represent the main danger.

Even single winter sport participants can release avalanches easily, including dangerously large ones. The wind slabs are to be found in particular adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls in all aspects. The number and size of avalanche prone locations will increase with altitude, caution is to be exercised in the regions exposed to the foehn wind also below the tree line. In particular in the regions exposed to heavier precipitation and at high altitudes and in high Alpine regions individual medium-sized natural avalanches are possible as a consequence of the storm force northerly wind. The current avalanche situation calls for extensive experience in the assessment of avalanche danger and restraint.
Especially below approximately 2600 m small and medium-sized gliding avalanches and moist snow slides are possible.

Snowpack

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

Some snow has fallen in particular in the north. The wind will be storm force over a wide area. The wind slabs have bonded poorly with the old snowpack. Faceted weak layers exist in the old snowpack in particular adjacent to ridgelines. The old snowpack will be moist below approximately 2200 m.

Tendency

Slight decrease in danger of dry avalanches. Slight increase in danger of gliding avalanches and moist snow slides as a consequence of warming.