Danger level

2600m

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.
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 snowpack is largely stable and its surface has a crust that is barely capable of bearing a load, in particular on very steep sunny slopes, as well as at low and intermediate altitudes.

Tendency

Gradual decrease in avalanche danger.

Danger level

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 moist, 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

treeline

Wind-drifted snow		Treeline
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 west to north to east facing aspects above the tree line. They can be released by large loads at their margins in particular.
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
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. Individual gliding avalanches can also be released in the night.

Danger level

2600m

Wind-drifted snow		2600m
Gliding snow		2600m

Old wind slabs in the high Alpine regions. Individual gliding avalanches can also occur.

The older wind slabs remain in some cases prone to triggering in particular on northwest to north to northeast facing aspects above approximately 2600 m. They can be released by large loads at their margins in particular.
On very steep grassy slopes and on sunny slopes only isolated gliding avalanches are possible, even quite large ones. Areas with glide cracks are to be avoided.
In isolated cases avalanches can be triggered in deep layers of the snowpack and reach quite a large size. This applies on steep, rather lightly snow-covered shady slopes, as well as in extremely steep terrain. 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, especially on steep sunny slopes at low and intermediate altitudes. These weather effects will foster a substantial settling of the snowpack. The snowpack is fairly homogeneous and its surface has a melt-freeze crust. The various wind slabs have bonded quite well together. In very isolated cases weak layers exist deep in the old snowpack especially at high altitudes and in high Alpine regions.

Tendency

Gradual decrease in avalanche danger.

Danger level

2200m

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 3000 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. Avalanches can be triggered in the faceted old snow and reach a dangerous size. These avalanche prone locations are difficult to recognise. The current avalanche situation calls for experience in the assessment of avalanche danger and careful route selection.
The older wind slabs are to be evaluated with care and prudence in particular on northeast to north to northwest facing aspects above approximately 2600 m, especially adjacent to ridgelines.

Snowpack

dp.1: deep persistent weak layer
dp.7: snow-poor zones in snow-rich surrounding

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: The snowpack is largely stable and its surface has a crust that is barely capable of bearing a load.

Tendency

Hardly any decrease in danger.

Danger level

2600m

Gliding snow		2600m
Wind-drifted snow		2400m

Caution is to be exercised in areas with glide cracks.

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.
The clearly visible 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. In isolated cases avalanches can be triggered in deep layers of the snowpack and reach quite a large size.

Snowpack

dp.2: gliding snow

Sunshine and high temperatures gave rise on Thursday to moistening of the snowpack in particular on sunny slopes. The snowpack is fairly homogeneous and its surface has a melt-freeze crust that is not capable of bearing a load. This applies on sunny slopes below approximately 2500 m. More recent wind slabs are to be found in particular in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. The various wind slabs have bonded generally well together. Faceted weak layers exist deep in the old snowpack in high Alpine regions. This applies at high altitudes and in high Alpine regions.

Tendency

The avalanche danger will persist.

Danger level

2400m

Persistent weak layer		2400m
Wind-drifted snow		2400m

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 Thursday to significant moistening of the snowpack below approximately 2500 m.
The somewhat older wind slabs are to be found especially 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

2000m

Wind-drifted snow		2000m

A generally favourable avalanche situation will prevail.

The somewhat older wind slabs are to be evaluated with care and prudence in particular in extremely steep terrain. 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

The various wind slabs have bonded quite well already with each other and the old snowpack. 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.

Tendency

A generally favourable avalanche situation will prevail.