Danger level
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The fresh snow and the wind slabs can be released very easily above the tree line.
As a consequence of new snow and a strong wind, precarious wind slabs formed in the last few days in all aspects. They can be released very easily above the tree line. Even single backcountry tourers can release avalanches as before, including medium-sized ones. Caution is to be exercised in particular adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls. 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 are a clear indication of a weakly bonded snowpack. Caution is to be exercised in the regions exposed to heavier precipitation also below the tree line on cut and grassy slopes. The current avalanche situation calls for extensive experience in the assessment of avalanche danger and careful route selection.
Snowpack
The sometimes strong wind has transported the new snow significantly. The new snow and wind slabs are bonding only slowly with the old snowpack in all aspects. Faceted weak layers exist in the centre of the snowpack in particular on shady slopes. Towards its base, the snowpack is well consolidated.
In some localities 5 to 10 cm of snow will fall in the early morning in all altitude zones. The fresh and older wind slabs will be covered with new snow in some cases and therefore difficult to recognise. As a consequence of low temperatures the snowpack can not consolidate during the next few days.
Tendency
A critical avalanche situation will persist in some cases. The weather conditions will prevent a rapid strengthening of the near-surface layers.