Avalanche.report Sunday 29 12 2019

Regions
Karwendel Mountains, Grieskogel Mountains, Allgäu Alps, Eastern Lechtal Alps - Ammergau Alps, Mieming Mountains

Danger level
Danger Level 3 - Considerable above 2200m
Danger Level 2 - Moderate above 2200m
Avalanche Problem
Wind-drifted snow above 2200m, NE-E-SE-S-SW-W
Gliding snow above 2600m, E-SE-S-SW-W

Fresh wind slabs in particular on near-ridge slopes.

The fresh wind slabs are to be evaluated with care and prudence above approximately 2200 m. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular adjacent to ridgelines. The number and size of avalanche prone locations will increase with altitude. The avalanche prone locations are clearly recognisable to the trained eye. Avalanches can in isolated cases be released by small loads and reach medium size. The wind slabs are to be bypassed in particular in steep terrain.
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

In some cases the various wind slabs have bonded still only poorly together, in particular adjacent to ridgelines. The snowpack will become increasingly stable. This applies in particular at low and intermediate altitudes.

Tendency

Gradual decrease in danger of dry avalanches. Slight increase in danger of gliding avalanches.

Regions
Brandenberg Alps, Western Kitzbühel Alps, Wilder Kaiser Mountains - Waidring Alps, Eastern Kitzbühel Alps

Danger level
Danger Level 3 - Considerable above the treeline
Danger Level 2 - Moderate above the treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind-drifted snow above the treeline, NE-E-SE-S-SW-W
Gliding snow above 2400m, E-SE-S-SW-W

Fresh wind slabs in particular on near-ridge slopes.

The fresh wind slabs are to be evaluated with care and prudence above the tree line. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular adjacent to ridgelines. The number and size of avalanche prone locations will increase with altitude. The avalanche prone locations are clearly recognisable to the trained eye. Avalanches can in isolated cases be released by small loads and reach medium size. The wind slabs are to be bypassed in particular in steep terrain.
Especially below approximately 2400 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

Tendency

Gradual decrease in danger of dry avalanches. Slight increase in danger of gliding avalanches.

Regions
Weißkugel Range, Western Verwall Mountains, Gurgler Range, Central Stubai Alps, Eastern Verwall Mountains, Northern Zillertal Alps, Silvretta, Samnaun Mountains, Northern Oetz and Stubai Alps, Western Tuxer Alps, Eastern Tuxer Alps, Western Lechtal Alps, Central Lechtal Alps, Glockturm Range

Fresh wind slabs require caution.

Fresh and somewhat older wind slabs are to be assessed with care and prudence. Caution is to be exercised adjacent to ridgelines as well as in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain in particular above approximately 2200 m. Single snow sport participants can release avalanches as before, including medium-sized ones.
Dry avalanches can additionally be released in deeper layers, mostly by large additional loads. This applies in particular on steep south facing slopes above approximately 2600 m as well as on steep east and west facing 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. This applies in particular on steep grassy slopes, especially on east, south and west facing slopes below approximately 2600 m. This also applies on steep shady slopes below approximately 2000 m.

Snowpack

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

The wind will be moderate in some regions. As a consequence of the wind the wind slabs will increase in size moderately. In some cases the wind slabs have bonded still only poorly together, in particular at high altitudes and in high Alpine regions. Faceted weak layers exist in the old snowpack in particular on steep sunny slopes. This applies in particular on steep, rather lightly snow-covered south facing slopes as well as on steep east and west facing slopes at high altitudes and in high Alpine regions.

Tendency

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

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

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 2600m, N-NE-E-SE-S-SW-W-NW

The fresh wind slabs represent the main danger.

Avalanches can be released by a single winter sport participant and reach medium size. 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. 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. Areas with glide cracks are to be avoided.

Snowpack

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

In some cases the various wind slabs have bonded still only poorly with each other and 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

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

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

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, including large ones, especially 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.