Avalanche.report

Sunday 19 01 2020

Published 18 01 2020, 17:00

Regions
Western Tuxer Alps, Eastern Tuxer Alps, Northern Zillertal Alps, Venediger Range


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
New snow above 2200m, N-NE-E-SE-S-SW-W-NW


More recent wind slabs represent the main danger.

As a consequence of fresh snow and wind the wind slabs have increased in size additionally in the last two days. Especially in places where more than 25 cm of snow falls danger level 3 (considerable) will be reached. The avalanche-prone wind slabs of the last two days can be released easily or naturally in all aspects above approximately 2200 m. The avalanche prone locations are to be found especially on wind-loaded slopes. More frequent dry slab avalanches are to be expected. They can also be released in the old snowpack and reach quite a large size especially on shady slopes.

Snowpack

dp 6: cold, loose snow and wind
dp 1: deep persistent weak layer

Over a wide area 15 to 25 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, fell in all altitude zones. The northwesterly wind will transport the fresh snow and, in some cases, old snow as well. Over a wide area easily released wind slabs will form. The fresh snow and wind slabs of the last two days will be deposited on the unfavourable surface of an old snowpack in particular on shady slopes above approximately 2200 m. Faceted weak layers exist in the snowpack in particular here.

Tendency

Hardly any decrease in avalanche danger as the temperature drops.

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


Danger level
Danger Level 2 - Moderate 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
New snow above the treeline, N-NE-E-SE-S-SW-W-NW


More recent wind slabs represent the main danger.

As a consequence of fresh snow and wind the wind slabs have increased in size additionally in the last two days. The avalanche-prone wind slabs of the last two days are prone to triggering in all aspects and generally above the tree line. The avalanche prone locations are to be found especially on wind-loaded slopes. More frequent dry slab avalanches are to be expected. They can also be released in the old snowpack and reach quite a large size especially on shady slopes.

Snowpack

dp 6: cold, loose snow and wind
dp 1: deep persistent weak layer

Over a wide area 10 to 20 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, fell in all altitude zones. The northwesterly wind will transport the fresh snow and, in some cases, old snow as well. Over a wide area sometimes avalanche prone wind slabs will form. The fresh snow and wind slabs of the last two days will be deposited on the unfavourable surface of an old snowpack in particular on shady slopes above approximately 1800 m. Faceted weak layers exist in the snowpack in particular here.

Tendency

Hardly any decrease in avalanche danger as the temperature drops.

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


Danger level
Danger Level 2 - Moderate above the treeline
Danger Level 1 - Low above the treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind-drifted snow above the treeline, N-NE-E-SE-S-NW


Wind slabs require caution.

The fresh snow and wind slabs of Saturday can be released very easily. The rather small wind slabs can be released easily, even by a single winter sport participant, especially on northeast to north to south facing aspects above the tree line. Especially wind-loaded slopes where hard layers are lying on a weakly bonded old snowpack are critical. Individual dry slab avalanches are possible. These can in isolated cases be released in near-surface layers of the snowpack and reach quite a large size.

Snowpack

Over a wide area easily released wind slabs formed. The fresh snow and wind slabs of Saturday are lying on the unfavourable surface of an old snowpack in particular on shady slopes. Faceted weak layers exist in the snowpack in particular here. Apart from the danger of being buried, restraint should be exercised as well in view of the danger of avalanches sweeping people along and giving rise to falls. The fresh snow and wind slabs of Saturday are bonding only slowly with the old snowpack.

Tendency

Fresh wind slabs are to be evaluated with care and prudence.

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 2 - Moderate above the treeline
Danger Level 1 - Low above the treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind-drifted snow above the treeline, N-NE-E-SE-S-SW-W-NW
Gliding snow above the treeline, N-NE-E-SE-S-SW-W-NW


The fresh wind slabs can be released easily.

The avalanche prone locations are to be found especially on wind-loaded slopes. In particular in the vicinity of peaks the wind slabs have increased in size on Saturday. The mostly small wind slabs can be released easily, even by a single winter sport participant, in all aspects. Dry slab avalanches are possible. These can in isolated cases be released in near-surface layers of the snowpack and reach medium size.

Snowpack

The strong wind has transported the fresh snow and, in some cases, old snow as well. Over a wide area easily released wind slabs formed. The fresh snow and wind slabs of Saturday are lying on the unfavourable surface of an old snowpack in particular on shady slopes. Faceted weak layers exist in the snowpack in particular here. Apart from the danger of being buried, restraint should be exercised as well in view of the danger of avalanches sweeping people along and giving rise to falls. The fresh snow and wind slabs of Saturday are bonding only slowly with the old snowpack.

Tendency

Fresh wind slabs represent the main danger.

Regions
Lienzer Dolomites


Danger level
Danger Level 1 - Low


Low, level 1.

The avalanche prone locations are very rare.
Dry avalanches can in very isolated cases be released in the old snowpack, in particular adjacent to ridgelines and in areas where the snow cover is rather shallow. Here individual mostly small avalanches are possible. Caution is to be exercised in particular on extremely steep shady slopes. Apart from the danger of being buried, restraint should be exercised as well in view of the danger of avalanches sweeping people along and giving rise to falls.
A latent danger of gliding avalanches exists, in particular on steep sunny slopes below approximately 2400 m.

Snowpack

In some places relatively hard layers of snow are lying on old snow containing large grains, in particular on shady slopes at high altitudes and in high Alpine regions as well as adjacent to ridgelines. Extremely steep, little used shady slopes are to be evaluated with care and prudence.
The old snowpack will be moist at low and intermediate altitudes. The surface of the snowpack has frozen to form a strong crust and will soften during the day. This applies in particular on steep sunny slopes. There is a danger of falling on the hard snow surface.

Tendency

The backcountry touring conditions remain favourable.