Danger level
Avalanche Problem
 | | Persistent weak layer |
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 | | Wind-drifted snow |
|  | | |
As before, it is inadvisable to engage in backcountry touring and snowshoe hiking in steep terrain.
The new snow and wind slabs are very prone to triggering. Medium-sized and, in isolated cases, large dry slab avalanches are possible in all aspects. Even single backcountry tourers can release avalanches in many places. As a consequence of solar radiation, the natural avalanche activity will increase, caution is to be exercised on steep slopes also below the tree line.
Whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack are a clear indication of a weakly bonded snowpack. Remotely triggered avalanches are possible.
In particular on steep grassy slopes medium-sized and, in isolated cases, large gliding avalanches are possible. Extensive experience in the assessment of avalanche danger and great restraint are required.
Snowpack
Towards its surface, the snowpack is unfavourably layered; its surface consists of loosely bonded snow. The new snow and wind slabs are bonding only slowly with the old snowpack in all aspects. In some places new snow and wind slabs are lying on surface hoar. Faceted weak layers exist in the centre of the snowpack in particular on shady slopes. Towards its base, the snowpack is well consolidated.
The more recent wind slabs are covered with new snow and therefore barely recognisable. 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.
Danger level
 | 1600m
|
Avalanche Problem
| | Persistent weak layer |
| | | |
| | Persistent weak layer |
|  | | |
As before, it is inadvisable to engage in backcountry touring and snowshoe hiking in steep terrain.
As a consequence of solar radiation, the natural avalanche activity will increase. The new snow and wind slabs are very prone to triggering. Medium-sized and, in isolated cases, large dry slab avalanches are possible in all aspects. Even single backcountry tourers can release avalanches in many places, caution is to be exercised on steep slopes also below the tree line.
Whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack are a clear indication of a weakly bonded snowpack. Extensive experience in the assessment of avalanche danger and great restraint are required. The avalanche prone locations are widespread. Remotely triggered avalanches are possible.
In particular on steep grassy slopes medium-sized and, in isolated cases, large gliding avalanches are possible.
Snowpack
dp.8: surface hoar blanketed with snow
Towards its surface, the snowpack is unfavourably layered; its surface consists of loosely bonded snow. Distinct weak layers exist in the snowpack in all aspects. Slopes adjacent to ridgelines are especially precarious. The more recent wind slabs are covered with new snow and therefore barely recognisable.
As a consequence of low temperatures the snowpack can not consolidate.
Towards its base, the snowpack is well consolidated.
Tendency
A very precarious avalanche situation will prevail. The weather conditions will prevent a rapid change towards better conditions.
Danger level
| treeline
|
Avalanche Problem
| | Persistent weak layer |
| | | |
| | Persistent weak layer |
| | |  |
A sometimes treacherous avalanche situation will prevail. Weak layers in the upper part of the snowpack necessitate caution.
Dry avalanches can be triggered in the new snow and wind slab layers and reach quite a large size. This applies in particular on steep east, south and west facing slopes between approximately 2300 and 2600 m. Remotely triggered avalanches are possible. Avalanche prone locations for dry avalanches are to be found also on very steep shady slopes, also below the tree line. Places where surface hoar has been covered with snow are treacherous. The avalanche prone locations are covered with new snow and are barely recognisable, even to the trained eye. Whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack can indicate the danger.
Fresh wind slabs are small. These avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular adjacent to ridgelines.
In addition a latent danger of gliding avalanches exists.
Meticulous route selection is important.
Snowpack
dp.4: cold following warm / warm following cold
dp.8: surface hoar blanketed with snow
Faceted weak layers exist in the top section of the snowpack. This applies in particular on sunny slopes between approximately 2300 and 2600 m. The new snow-covered wind slabs are lying on surface hoar in some places. As a consequence of low temperatures the snowpack can settle hardly at all.
Some snow has fallen. The wind was light.
In its middle, the snowpack is well consolidated. Towards its base, the snowpack is well consolidated.
Tendency
A sometimes treacherous avalanche situation will prevail.
Danger level
Avalanche Problem
| | Persistent weak layer |
| | | |
| | Wind-drifted snow |
| | | |
Wind slabs and weakly bonded old snow are to be critically assessed.
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. In addition the sometimes avalanche prone wind slabs should be taken into account. They can be released by a single winter sport participant especially on steep shady slopes at high altitudes and in high Alpine regions, caution is to be exercised in particular adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls. In some cases the avalanches are medium-sized.
Snowpack
dp.1: deep persistent weak layer
The various wind slabs are lying on surface hoar in some places. The wind slabs have bonded poorly with each other and the old snowpack. In some places relatively hard layers of snow are lying on soft layers.
Steep shady slopes: The old snowpack will be prone to triggering in some places. Towards its base, the snowpack consists of faceted crystals.
Tendency
The avalanche danger will persist.
Danger level
 | 2200m
|
Avalanche Problem
Individual avalanche prone locations for dry avalanches are to be found on very steep shady slopes above approximately 2200 m.
Weak layers in the lower part of the snowpack can be released especially by large additional loads. This applies in particular on very steep shady slopes above approximately 2200 m, as well as at transitions from a shallow to a deep snowpack, when entering gullies and bowls for example. In some cases the avalanches are medium-sized.
Snowpack
dp.1: deep persistent weak layer
Steep shady slopes above approximately 2200 m: The old snowpack will be prone to triggering in some places. Faceted weak layers exist in the bottom section of the snowpack. Older wind slabs are lying on surface hoar in some places.
Some snow has fallen.
Tendency
The avalanche danger will persist.
Danger level
| 2000m
|
Avalanche Problem
The current avalanche situation calls for experience in the assessment of avalanche danger.
A sometimes treacherous avalanche situation will prevail. This applies in particular in the south. Weak layers in the upper part of the snowpack can still be released in some place by winter sport participants in particular on steep sunny slopes. This applies in particular between approximately 2300 and 2600 m. Mostly the avalanches are medium-sized.
Also places where surface hoar has been covered with snow are unfavourable. Caution is to be exercised in particular on very steep shady slopes, also at intermediate altitudes.
Snowpack
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
dp.4: cold following warm / warm following cold
Faceted weak layers exist in the top section of the snowpack. This applies in particular on sunny slopes between approximately 2300 and 2600 m. The new snow-covered wind slabs are lying on surface hoar in some places. Towards its base, the snowpack is well consolidated.
Some snow has fallen. The wind was light.
Tendency
Weak layers in the upper part of the snowpack necessitate 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
Some snow has fallen. From a snow sport perspective, in most cases insufficient snow is lying. Hardly any weak layers exist in the snowpack.
Tendency
Low, level 1.
