Danger level
Avalanche Problem
A lot of new snow at low altitude: New snow and wind slabs represent the main danger.
On wind-loaded slopes a critical avalanche situation will be encountered over a wide area. As a consequence of new snow and a strong wind from southeasterly directions, avalanche prone wind slabs formed in the last two days in all aspects. They 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 but in many cases easily released. Even single backcountry tourers can release avalanches in many places, including large ones, caution is to be exercised on steep slopes also below the tree line. The prevalence of avalanche prone locations and likelihood of triggering will increase with altitude. Whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack can indicate the danger. Caution and restraint are required.
Snowpack
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
Over a wide area 50 to 80 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, has fallen since Saturday in all altitude zones. The southerly wind has transported the fresh and old snow. These avalanche prone locations are numerous and are barely recognisable, even to the trained eye. Over a wide area wind slabs are lying on soft layers. The new snow and wind slabs can be released easily or naturally in all aspects and in all altitude zones. The weather conditions will prevent a rapid change towards better conditions.
Tendency
A precarious avalanche situation will be encountered over a wide area. These conditions will facilitate a slow decrease in the avalanche danger.
Danger level
Avalanche Problem
 | | New snow |
|  | |  |
 | | Wind-drifted snow |
|  | | |
High, level 4. The danger exists in particular in alpine snow sports terrain.
Already many small and medium-sized slab avalanches have been released as a consequence of the new snow. This applies on steep slopes in all altitude zones in all aspects. More frequent small and medium-sized dry loose snow avalanches are to be expected in all altitude zones.
In addition easily released wind slabs formed in particular above the tree line, in the regions exposed to a lot of wind in particular.
Outside marked and open pistes a dangerous avalanche situation will prevail. Single backcountry tourers can release avalanches very easily, including medium-sized ones, caution is to be exercised on steep slopes also below the tree line. Older wind slabs are covered with new snow and therefore difficult to recognise. Whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack are a clear indication of a weakly bonded snowpack. Great caution and restraint are required.
Snowpack
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
dp.8: surface hoar blanketed with snow
Over a wide area 40 to 60 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, has fallen since Saturday in all altitude zones. The southeasterly wind has transported the fresh and old snow. The new snow and wind slabs are lying on soft layers in all aspects and in all altitude zones. Towards its base, the snowpack is well consolidated. Stability tests and field observations confirm this situation. The weather conditions will prevent a rapid change towards better conditions.
Tendency
A very precarious avalanche situation will be encountered over a wide area.
Danger level
Avalanche Problem
| | Wind-drifted snow |
| | | |
| | New snow |
| | | |
A dangerous avalanche situation will be encountered over a wide area. New snow and wind slabs require caution.
As a consequence of new snow and a strong wind from southeasterly directions, avalanche prone wind slabs formed in the last two days in all aspects, caution is to be exercised on steep slopes also below the tree line. Even single backcountry tourers can release avalanches in many places, including medium-sized ones, in the regions exposed to a lot of wind in particular in the regions exposed to heavier precipitation and. The fresh and somewhat older wind slabs can be released easily in all aspects.
Slides can occur on cut slopes. This applies in particular in case of releases originating from very steep starting zones that have retained the snow thus far. Older wind slabs are covered with new snow and therefore difficult to recognise. Whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack can indicate the danger. Extensive experience in the assessment of avalanche danger and great restraint are required.
Snowpack
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
dp.8: surface hoar blanketed with snow
Over a wide area 30 to 40 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, has fallen since Friday in all altitude zones. The southerly wind has transported the fresh and old snow. The new snow and wind slabs are lying on soft layers in all aspects and in all altitude zones. Towards its base, the snowpack is well consolidated. Stability tests and field observations confirm this situation. The weather conditions will prevent a rapid change towards better conditions.
Tendency
A precarious avalanche situation will be encountered over a wide area.
Danger level
 | treeline
|
Avalanche Problem
| | Wind-drifted snow |
| | | |
| | New snow |
|  | | |
A lot of new snow at low altitude: New snow and wind slabs represent the main danger.
On wind-loaded slopes a critical avalanche situation will be encountered over a wide area. As a consequence of new snow and a strong wind from southeasterly directions, avalanche prone wind slabs formed in the last two days in all aspects. They 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 but in many cases easily released. Even single backcountry tourers can release avalanches in many places, including large ones, caution is to be exercised on steep slopes also below the tree line. The prevalence of avalanche prone locations and likelihood of triggering will increase with altitude. Whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack can indicate the danger. Caution and restraint are required.
Snowpack
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
Over a wide area 30 to 50 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, has fallen since Saturday in all altitude zones. The southerly wind has transported the fresh and old snow. These avalanche prone locations are numerous and are barely recognisable, even to the trained eye. Over a wide area wind slabs are lying on soft layers. The new snow and wind slabs can be released easily or naturally in all aspects and in all altitude zones. The weather conditions will prevent a rapid change towards better conditions.
Tendency
A precarious avalanche situation will be encountered over a wide area. These conditions will facilitate a slow decrease in the avalanche danger.
Danger level
 | treeline
|
Avalanche Problem
| | Wind-drifted snow |
| | | |
| | Wind-drifted snow |
| | |  |
Backcountry touring calls for extensive experience and restraint.
On wind-loaded slopes a treacherous 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 only shallow. The avalanche prone locations are prevalent and are difficult to recognise.
Snowpack
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
dp.8: surface hoar blanketed with snow
Over a wide area 10 to 20 cm of snow has fallen since Saturday. In some cases new snow and wind slabs are lying on surface hoar. As a consequence of a strong wind from southeasterly directions, easily released wind slabs formed in the last few days in all aspects. Avalanches can be released by small loads and reach medium size. Towards its base, the snowpack is largely stable.
Tendency
Hardly any decrease in avalanche danger. Wind slabs require caution.
Danger level
 | treeline
|
Avalanche Problem
| | Wind-drifted snow |
| | | |
 | | Persistent weak layer |
| | |  |
Wind slabs are to be evaluated with care and prudence.
The fresh and somewhat older wind slabs can be released by a single winter sport participant especially on steep shady slopes above the tree line, caution is to be exercised in particular adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls. Mostly the avalanches are medium-sized.
Weak layers in the lower part of the snowpack can be released in some places by individual winter sport participants, 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. This applies especially on steep shady slopes above approximately 2200 m.
Snowpack
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
dp.1: deep persistent weak layer
Towards its surface, the snowpack is unfavourably layered and its surface has a crust. In some places relatively hard layers of snow are lying on soft layers. The wind slabs are lying on surface hoar in some places at intermediate and high altitudes.
Steep shady slopes: The old snowpack will be prone to triggering in some places. Towards its base, the snowpack consists of faceted crystals.
Tendency
Fresh and older wind slabs require caution.
Danger level
| treeline
|
Avalanche Problem
| | Wind-drifted snow |
| | | |
| | Persistent weak layer |
|  | | |
The current avalanche situation calls for experience and restraint.
On wind-loaded slopes a sometimes unfavourable avalanche situation will prevail. The fresh and somewhat older wind slabs can be released by a single winter sport participant in some cases in all aspects. Caution is to be exercised in particular adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls in areas close to the tree line, as well as above the tree line. Mostly the avalanches are medium-sized. The number and size of avalanche prone locations will increase with altitude. In regions exposed to the foehn wind the avalanche prone locations are more prevalent.
Snowpack
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
dp.8: surface hoar blanketed with snow
5 to 15 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, has fallen since Friday. The southeasterly wind has transported the new snow. The upper section of the snowpack is unfavourably layered. The new snow and wind slabs are lying on surface hoar in some places in all aspects. Towards its base, the snowpack is well consolidated. Stability tests and field observations confirm this situation.
Tendency
Wind slabs are to be evaluated with care and prudence.
Danger level
 | treeline
|
Avalanche Problem
| | Wind-drifted snow |
| | | |
| | Persistent weak layer |
| | | |
Wind slabs require caution.
The fresh and somewhat older wind slabs can be released by a single winter sport participant in some cases especially on steep shady slopes above the tree line, caution is to be exercised in particular adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls. Mostly the avalanches are medium-sized. The number and size of avalanche prone locations will increase with altitude.
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 very steep shady slopes above approximately 2200 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.
Snowpack
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
dp.1: deep persistent weak layer
Some snow has fallen in some localities, in particular in the south. Towards its surface, the snowpack is hard. In some places relatively hard layers of snow are lying on soft layers. The wind slabs are lying on surface hoar in some places at intermediate and high altitudes. Snow profiles confirm this situation.
Steep shady slopes: The old snowpack will be prone to triggering in some places. Towards its base, the snowpack consists of faceted crystals.
Tendency
Fresh and older wind slabs require caution.
Danger level
| treeline
|
Avalanche Problem
Wind slabs require caution.
The fresh and somewhat older wind slabs are in some cases prone to triggering above the tree line, especially adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls. 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.
Snowpack
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
Some snow has fallen in some localities, especially in the south. The southeasterly wind will transport the snow. In some places wind slabs are lying on soft layers, especially on shady slopes.
Tendency
The avalanche danger will persist.
Danger level
| treeline
|
Avalanche Problem
| | Wind-drifted snow |
| | | |
| | Persistent weak layer |
| | | |
Wind slabs and weakly bonded old snow require caution.
Wind slabs can be released especially on steep shady slopes above the tree line, caution is to be exercised in particular adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls. The avalanches are rather small. The number and size of avalanche prone locations will increase with altitude.
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, 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.
Snowpack
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
dp.1: deep persistent weak layer
Towards its surface, the snowpack is hard. In some places relatively hard layers of snow are lying on soft layers. This applies in particular above the tree line.
Steep shady slopes: The old snowpack will be prone to triggering in some places. Towards its base, the snowpack consists of faceted crystals.
Tendency
Fresh and older wind slabs require caution.
Danger level
Low, level 1.
Wind slabs require caution. This applies on very steep shady slopes, and adjacent to ridgelines above approximately 2000 m. The avalanche prone locations are rare and are easy to recognise.
Snowpack
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
In some places wind slabs are lying on soft layers, especially on shady slopes at elevated altitudes. From a snow sport perspective, in most cases insufficient snow is lying.
Tendency
Low, level 1.
