Avalanche.report

Tuesday 15.12.2020

Published14 12 2020, 17:00


Danger level

treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind-drifted snow
Treeline
Gliding snow
2600m


Old wind slabs are to be evaluated critically. Areas with glide cracks are to be avoided as far as possible.

In the last few days the natural activity of avalanches has appreciably decreased. The sometimes large wind slabs of last week must be evaluated with care and prudence in particular on west to north to east facing aspects above the tree line. They are in some cases deep and can be released by large loads in particular.
On very steep grassy slopes and on sunny slopes gliding avalanches are possible, even quite large ones. Exposed parts of transportation routes can be endangered occasionally especially in the regions with a lot of snow. Areas with glide cracks are to be avoided.
In some places avalanches can be triggered in deep layers of the snowpack and reach large size in isolated cases. 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

The snowpack will be quite well bonded. 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. 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.

Tendency

The avalanche danger will persist. Gliding avalanches can be released at any time of day or night.