Avalanche.report

Tuesday 22.12.2020

Published21 12 2020, 17:00


Danger level

2200m
Avalanche Problem
Wind-drifted snow
2200m
Gliding snow
2600m


Fresh wind slabs require caution. Caution is to be exercised in areas with glide cracks.

The fresh wind slabs can be released in isolated cases on steep shady slopes above approximately 2200 m. Mostly avalanches are only small but can be released also by a single winter sport participant. The prevalence of avalanche prone locations and likelihood of triggering will increase with altitude.
On very steep grassy slopes and on sunny slopes more gliding avalanches are possible, even quite large ones. Areas with glide cracks are to be avoided.

Snowpack

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

As a consequence of a strong to storm force wind from westerly directions, mostly small wind slabs will form. In some places wind slabs are lying on surface hoar, especially on shady slopes. In its middle, the snowpack is well consolidated. Towards its base, the snowpack is faceted, especially on shady slopes above the tree line, as well as on sunny slopes in high Alpine regions.

Tendency

The avalanche danger will persist.


Danger level

2200m
Avalanche Problem
Wind-drifted snow
2200m


Fresh wind slabs require caution.

Fresh wind slabs can be released by a single winter sport participant on steep shady slopes above approximately 2200 m. This applies especially adjacent to ridgelines. They are mostly only small. The prevalence of avalanche prone locations and likelihood of triggering will increase with altitude.
Slight increase in danger of gliding avalanches as a consequence of warming.

Snowpack

dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind

As a consequence of a strong to storm force wind from westerly directions, mostly small wind slabs will form. In some places wind slabs are lying on surface hoar, especially on shady slopes. In its middle, the snowpack is well consolidated. Towards its base, the snowpack is faceted, especially on shady slopes above the tree line, as well as on sunny slopes in high Alpine regions.

Tendency

The avalanche danger will persist.


Danger level

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


Weak layers in the lower part of the snowpack are treacherous. Fresh wind slabs require caution.

Weak layers in the lower part of the snowpack can be released in some places 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, especially 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. In the regions with a lot of snow the situation is more favourable.
As a consequence of a sometimes strong wind from westerly directions, wind slabs will form in some places. These are rather small but in some cases prone to triggering, in particular on shady slopes. The number and size of avalanche prone locations will increase with altitude.

Snowpack

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

Steep shady slopes: The old snowpack will be prone to triggering in some places. Towards its base, the snowpack is faceted and weak. Whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack are a clear indication of a weakly bonded snowpack. The sometimes storm force wind will transport the fresh and old snow. In some places wind slabs are lying on surface hoar.
Steep sunny slopes as well as low and intermediate altitudes: The snowpack is largely stable and its surface has a melt-freeze crust.

Tendency

The avalanche danger will persist.


Danger level



Low, level 1.

Low, level 1. At low and intermediate altitudes from a snow sport perspective, in most cases insufficient snow is lying.

Snowpack

At low and intermediate altitudes hardly any snow is lying. At higher altitudes a little snow is lying. The snowpack is largely stable.

Tendency

A generally favourable avalanche situation will prevail.