Danger level

treeline

Wind-drifted snow		Treeline
Gliding snow		2500m

Wind slabs require caution. Areas with glide cracks are to be avoided.

The wind slabs must be evaluated with care and prudence in all aspects above the tree line. The fresh wind slabs are rather small but can be released easily.
On very steep grassy slopes and on sunny slopes gliding avalanches are possible, in particular medium-sized ones. Exposed parts of transportation routes can be endangered especially in the regions with a lot of snow. Areas with glide cracks are to be avoided.
In very isolated cases avalanches can be triggered in deep layers of the snowpack and reach very large size. This applies in case of releases originating from very steep starting zones at high altitudes and in high Alpine regions that have retained the snow thus far, especially at transitions from a shallow to a deep snowpack. This applies in particular in case of a large load.

Snowpack

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

More recent wind slabs are to be found in particular in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. In some cases the various wind slabs have bonded poorly together. This applies at high altitudes and in high Alpine regions. Towards its surface, the snowpack is soft and its surface consists of surface hoar, especially in areas close to the tree line. Faceted weak layers exist deep in the old snowpack especially at high altitudes and in high Alpine regions. Towards its base, the snowpack is moist. This applies especially at low and intermediate altitudes. As a consequence of mild temperatures and solar radiation the snowpack will consolidate during the next few days.

Tendency

Caution is to be exercised in areas with glide cracks. The avalanche danger will persist.

Danger level

treeline

Wind-drifted snow		Treeline
Persistent weak layer		Treeline

Wind slabs and weakly bonded old snow represent the main danger.

The fresh and older wind slabs are to be evaluated with care and prudence, in particular adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls above approximately 2200 m. The fresh and somewhat older wind slabs are covered with new snow in some cases and therefore difficult to recognise.
Weak layers in the old snowpack can be released by individual winter sport participants, in particular in areas where the snow cover is rather shallow, as well as at transitions from a shallow to a deep snowpack, when entering gullies and bowls for example, caution is to be exercised in particular on steep shady slopes above the tree line, as well as on steep sunny slopes above approximately 2500 m. In very isolated cases avalanches are large.
On steep grassy slopes gliding avalanches are possible, in particular medium-sized ones, especially on very steep sunny slopes below approximately 2500 m.
The current avalanche situation calls for experience in the assessment of avalanche danger and careful route selection.

Snowpack

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

Towards its surface, the snowpack is fairly homogeneous and has a loosely bonded surface. In the last few days avalanche prone wind slabs formed above the tree line. As a consequence of the southwesterly wind, the snow drift accumulations have increased in size on Friday, in particular on near-ridge shady slopes.
The old snowpack will be weakly bonded in some places. Whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack can indicate the danger.

Tendency

The avalanche danger will persist.

Danger level

treeline

Wind-drifted snow		Treeline
Gliding snow		2500m

Fresh wind slabs require caution. More gliding avalanches are possible.

The fresh wind slabs are to be evaluated with care and prudence in particular on west to north to east facing aspects above the tree line. Single backcountry tourers can release avalanches as before.
On steep grassy slopes gliding avalanches are possible at any time, even medium-sized ones. This applies on sunny slopes below approximately 2500 m.
Backcountry touring calls for careful route selection.

Snowpack

In some cases the various wind slabs have bonded still only poorly together. These are covered with new snow in some cases and therefore difficult to recognise. As a consequence of mild temperatures the snowpack will consolidate during the next few days. Towards its base, the snowpack is moist, in particular at low and intermediate altitudes.

Tendency

The avalanche danger will persist.