Avalanche.report

Thursday 17.12.2020

Published16 12 2020, 17:00


Danger level

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


Caution is to be exercised in areas with glide cracks.

The danger of gliding avalanches will persist. On very steep grassy slopes and on sunny slopes more 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.
The wind slabs of last week must be evaluated with care and prudence in particular on northwest to north to northeast facing aspects above approximately 2600 m. These are lying on the unfavourable surface of an old snowpack in particular on near-ridge shady slopes.

Snowpack

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

Towards its surface, the snowpack is fairly homogeneous and has a loosely bonded surface. As a consequence of mild temperatures the snowpack settled. In the last few days sometimes avalanche prone wind slabs formed in particular adjacent to ridgelines on northwest, north and northeast facing slopes.
The old snowpack will be unfavourable in some places. Towards its base, the snowpack is faceted and weak. Weak layers near the ground can still be released in very isolated cases. The upper section of the snowpack is moist, in particular on very steep sunny slopes, as well as at low and intermediate altitudes.

Tendency

Hardly any decrease in danger.


Danger level

2200m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2200m
Wind-drifted snow
2600m


Weak layers in the lower part of the snowpack necessitate caution and restraint.

Distinct weak layers in the lower part of the snowpack can be released by individual winter sport participants. Caution is to be exercised in particular on steep shady slopes above approximately 2200 m, as well as on steep sunny slopes above approximately 2600 m, also 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. In very isolated cases avalanches are large.
The older wind slabs are to be evaluated with care and prudence, in particular adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls above approximately 2600 m. These can be released by a single winter sport participant in some cases. In particular in the regions exposed to the foehn wind the wind slabs have increased in size once again.
On steep grassy slopes gliding avalanches are possible, in particular medium-sized ones, especially on very steep sunny slopes below approximately 2600 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.2: gliding snow

Steep shady slopes: The old snowpack will be prone to triggering in some places. Towards its surface, the snowpack is fairly homogeneous and has a loosely bonded surface. Towards its base, the snowpack is faceted and weak. Various wind slab layers are lying on soft layers, in particular adjacent to ridgelines. Released avalanches and stability tests confirm the unfavourable bonding of the snowpack. Whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack are a clear indication of a weakly bonded snowpack.
Very steep sunny slopes as well as low and intermediate altitudes: Towards its surface, the snowpack is moist.

Tendency

Hardly any decrease in danger.


Danger level


Avalanche Problem
Gliding snow
Wind-drifted snow
Treeline


As a consequence of warming during the day and solar radiation more gliding avalanches are possible. Wind slabs are to be evaluated with care and prudence.

As a consequence of warming individual gliding avalanches are possible, even medium-sized ones.
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. The number and size of avalanche prone locations will increase with altitude.
Ski touring calls for experience in the assessment of avalanche danger and careful route selection.

Snowpack

dp.2: gliding snow

The covering of new snow is fairly homogeneous and has a loosely bonded surface. Towards its base, the snowpack is wet, especially at low and intermediate altitudes. As a consequence of the moderate wind, snow drift accumulations formed during the last few days, in particular adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls. This applies above the tree line.

Tendency

The avalanche danger will persist.


Danger level

2400m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2400m
Wind-drifted snow
2200m


Old wind slabs are to be evaluated critically.

The wind slabs of the last few days must be evaluated with care and prudence in particular on northwest to north to northeast facing aspects above approximately 2400 m. In some cases the wind slabs have bonded still only poorly with the old snowpack. As a consequence of warming during the day and solar radiation the prevalence of the avalanche prone locations will increase.
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

These wintry weather conditions gave rise to unfavourable bonding of the snowpack in particular on shady slopes. Faceted weak layers exist deep in the old snowpack especially at high altitudes and in high Alpine regions. Sunshine and high temperatures gave rise on Wednesday to significant moistening of the snowpack below approximately 2500 m.
More recent wind slabs have formed in particular in places that are protected from the wind. In some cases the various wind slabs have bonded poorly together. Towards its base, the snowpack is moist. This applies especially at low and intermediate altitudes.

Tendency

The avalanche danger will persist.


Danger level

2400m
Avalanche Problem
Wind-drifted snow
2400m
Gliding snow
2600m


Old wind slabs represent the main danger. Individual gliding avalanches can also occur.

The sometimes large wind slabs remain in some cases prone to triggering in particular on northwest to north to northeast facing aspects above approximately 2400 m. They can be released by large loads at their margins in particular. As a consequence of warming during the day and solar radiation dry and moist avalanches are possible as the day progresses.
On very steep grassy slopes and on sunny slopes only isolated gliding avalanches are possible, even quite large ones. Exposed parts of transportation routes can be endangered occasionally in the regions with a lot of snow. Caution is to be exercised in areas with glide cracks.
In isolated cases avalanches can be triggered in deep layers of the snowpack and reach quite a 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. Caution is to be exercised in particular at transitions from a shallow to a deep snowpack.

Snowpack

dp.2: gliding snow

Sunshine and high temperatures gave rise on Wednesday to moistening of the snowpack in particular on sunny slopes. 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. Faceted weak layers exist deep in the old snowpack especially at high altitudes and in high Alpine regions. This applies at high altitudes and in high Alpine regions. The snowpack is fairly homogeneous and its surface has a melt-freeze crust. This applies on sunny slopes below approximately 2500 m.

Tendency

The avalanche danger will persist. Individual gliding avalanches can also occur.


Danger level

2000m
Avalanche Problem
Wind-drifted snow
2000m


Wind slabs require caution.

The somewhat older wind slabs represent the main danger. They can be released, especially by large additional loads, in particular on northwest to north to northeast facing aspects at high altitude. They are mostly small.

Snowpack

dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
dp.8: surface hoar blanketed with snow

In the last few days sometimes avalanche prone wind slabs formed at high altitude. The old snowpack is weak in some cases, especially on steep shady slopes at high altitude. At low and intermediate altitudes a little snow is lying. The upper section of the snowpack is moist, in particular on very steep sunny slopes, as well as at low and intermediate altitudes.

Tendency

The avalanche danger will persist.