Avalanche.report Friday 14 02 2020

Regions
Val Müstair Alps, Western Verwall Mountains, Langtaufers, Eastern Verwall Mountains, Schnals Ridge, Silvretta, Southern Stubai Alps, Samnaun Mountains, Southern Zillertal Alps and High Tauern, Northern Oetz and Stubai Alps, Saldurn-Mastaun Ridge, Western Tuxer Alps, Texel Mountains, Eastern Tuxer Alps, Glockturm Range, Durreck Range, Weißkugel Range, Gurgler Range, Central Stubai Alps, Ortler Range, Northern Zillertal Alps, Allgäu Alps, Venediger Range, Eastern Lechtal Alps - Ammergau Alps, Mieming Mountains, Western Lechtal Alps, Central Lechtal Alps, Grieskogel Mountains

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-NW
Persistent weak layer above 2900m above 2400m, N-NE-E-W-NW

Wind slabs and weakly bonded old snow at high altitude.

The fresh wind slabs can be released by a single winter sport participant in some cases in particular on very steep shady slopes above approximately 2200 m. Caution is to be exercised adjacent to ridgelines. These avalanche prone locations are clearly recognisable to the trained eye. The avalanches are rather small.
Weakly bonded old snow requires caution. Avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular on very steep west, north and east facing slopes between approximately 2400 and 2900 m. Caution is to be exercised in particular at transitions from a shallow to a deep snowpack in little used backcountry terrain. Avalanches can be released, in particular by large loads and reach large size in isolated cases.
In addition a certain danger of gliding avalanches exists. This applies on steep grassy slopes below approximately 2500 m.
Below the tree line a low avalanche danger will be encountered over a wide area. There is a danger of falling on the hard snow surface.

Snowpack

dp 6: cold, loose snow and wind
dp 7: snow-poor zones in snow-rich surrounding

Faceted weak layers exist in the old snowpack, in particular between approximately 2400 and 2900 m.
Some snow will fall until midday. The sometimes storm force wind will transport the snow. The fresh wind slabs are in some cases prone to triggering in particular on very steep shady slopes above approximately 2200 m.
The wind slabs of the last few days have bonded quite well with the old snowpack.
The snowpack will be subject to considerable local variations.

Tendency

Gradual decrease in avalanche danger.

Regions
Sexten Dolomites, Eastern Pfunderer Mountains, Western Rieserferner Mountains, Western Deferegger Alps, Ulten Valley, Eastern Nonsberger Alps, Eastern Rieserferner Mountains, Northern Dolomites of Fiemme, Glockner Range, Gröden Dolomites, Eastern Deferegger Alps, Prags Dolomites, Sarntal Alps, Schober Mountains, Western Pfunderer Mountains, Lienzer Dolomites

Danger level
Danger Level 2 - Moderate above 2200m
Danger Level 1 - Low above 2200m
Avalanche Problem
Wind-drifted snow above the treeline, N-NE-E-SE-NW

Fresh wind slabs represent the main danger.

Fresh wind slabs are to be evaluated with care and prudence. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular on very steep northeast, north and southeast facing slopes above approximately 2200 m, especially in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. These places are clearly recognisable to the trained eye. Mostly the avalanches are small.
Individual avalanche prone locations for dry avalanches are to be found also on extremely steep shady slopes at high altitudes and in high Alpine regions. This applies in areas where the snow cover is rather shallow. Avalanches can be released, mostly by large loads in isolated cases and reach medium size.
In steep terrain there is a danger of falling on the hard snow surface.

Snowpack

dp 6: cold, loose snow and wind

The strong wind will transport the snow. The fresh wind slabs are in some cases prone to triggering above approximately 2200 m. These are mostly small. In very isolated cases relatively hard layers of snow are lying on old snow containing large grains. This applies especially on shady slopes at high altitudes and in high Alpine regions. The snowpack will be subject to considerable local variations.

Tendency

The avalanche danger will persist.