Avalanche.report

Friday 01.01.2021

Published31 12 2020, 17:00


Danger level

treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind-drifted snow
Treeline
Wind-drifted snow
Treeline


Fresh and older wind slabs require caution.

On wind-loaded slopes a critical avalanche situation will be encountered over a wide area. The fresh and somewhat older wind slabs can be released easily in all aspects. Caution is to be exercised in particular adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls. Mostly the avalanches are medium-sized. The prevalence of avalanche prone locations and likelihood of triggering will increase with altitude. Caution and restraint are required.

Snowpack

dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind

As a consequence of a strong wind from southwesterly directions, avalanche prone wind slabs will form in all aspects. In many cases wind slabs are lying on soft layers. In some cases new snow and wind slabs are lying on surface hoar, in particular in areas close to the tree line. Stability tests and field observations confirm this situation. These avalanche prone locations are sometimes covered with new snow and are barely recognisable, even to the trained eye. The old snowpack is largely stable. 10 to 20 cm of snow, and up to 30 cm in some localities, will fall on Friday.

Tendency

Fresh wind slabs are to be evaluated with care and prudence. Increase in avalanche danger as a consequence of new snow and wind.


Danger level

treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind-drifted snow
Treeline
Wind-drifted snow
Treeline


Fresh and older wind slabs require caution.

On wind-loaded slopes a critical avalanche situation will be encountered over a wide area. The fresh and somewhat older wind slabs can be released easily in all aspects. Caution is to be exercised in particular adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls. Mostly the avalanches are medium-sized. The prevalence of avalanche prone locations and likelihood of triggering will increase with altitude. Caution and restraint are required.

Snowpack

dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind

As a consequence of a strong wind from southwesterly directions, avalanche prone wind slabs will form in all aspects. In many cases wind slabs are lying on soft layers. In some cases new snow and wind slabs are lying on surface hoar, in particular in areas close to the tree line. Stability tests and field observations confirm this situation. These avalanche prone locations are sometimes covered with new snow and are barely recognisable, even to the trained eye. The old snowpack is largely stable. 2 to 10 cm of snow, and up to 15 cm in some localities, will fall on Friday.

Tendency

Fresh wind slabs are to be evaluated with care and prudence. Increase in avalanche danger as a consequence of new snow and wind.