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.
The near-surface layers of the snowpack necessitate caution. Dry avalanches can be triggered in the weakly bonded old snow 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.
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
| treeline
|
Avalanche Problem
| | Persistent weak layer |
| | | |
| | Persistent weak layer |
| | | |
A 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. Remotely triggered avalanches are possible. Avalanche prone locations for dry avalanches are to be found on steep shady slopes, also below the tree line. 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 serve as an alarm sign.
Fresh wind slabs are small. These avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular adjacent to ridgelines.
As a consequence of solar radiation more dry snow slides and avalanches are possible as the day progresses, even quite large ones.
In addition a latent danger of gliding avalanches exists. Meticulous route selection is recommended.
Snowpack
dp.8: surface hoar blanketed with snow
Faceted weak layers exist in the top section of the snowpack. The more recent wind slabs are lying on surface hoar in some places. As a consequence of low temperatures the snowpack can not consolidate.
Towards its base, the snowpack is well consolidated.
Tendency
A precarious avalanche situation will persist.
Danger level
| 1600m
|
Avalanche Problem
| | Persistent weak layer |
| | | |
| | Persistent weak layer |
| | | |
Weak layers deep in the old snowpack necessitate caution. The conditions are sometimes unfavourable for backcountry touring and snowshoe hiking in steep terrain.
The new snow and wind slabs of last week must be evaluated with care and prudence above the tree line. Even single backcountry tourers can release avalanches in many places, including large ones. Individual medium-sized and, in isolated cases, large natural avalanches are further possible, caution is to be exercised on steep slopes also below the tree line, as well as at the base of rock walls and behind abrupt changes in the terrain.
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 addition a latent danger of gliding avalanches exists. In the event of solar radiation this applies in particular on steep grassy slopes.
The current avalanche situation calls for extensive experience in the assessment of avalanche danger and careful route selection.
Snowpack
Towards its surface, the snowpack is fairly homogeneous; its surface consists of loosely bonded snow. In some places new snow and wind slabs are lying on surface hoar. The new snow and wind slabs of last week 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. The more recent wind slabs are covered with new snow and therefore barely recognisable.
Tendency
At elevated altitudes a precarious avalanche situation will still be encountered. As a consequence of low temperatures the snowpack can not consolidate.
Danger level
 | 2200m
|
Avalanche Problem
Individual avalanche prone locations for dry avalanches are to be found especially adjacent to ridgelines in all aspects.
The older wind slabs are mostly shallow and can be released in isolated cases. This applies in particular adjacent to ridgelines above approximately 2200 m, as well as at transitions from a shallow to a deep snowpack, when entering gullies and bowls for example. This applies even in case of a single winter sport participant in isolated cases. Mostly the avalanches are medium-sized.
Snowpack
dp.1: deep persistent weak layer
Here only a little snow is lying. The old snowpack will be generally weakly bonded. Older wind slabs are lying on top of a weakly bonded old snowpack. Faceted weak layers exist in the bottom section of the snowpack.
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 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. Especially in the north only a little snow is lying.
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 at transitions from a shallow to a deep snowpack, when entering gullies and bowls for example, also at intermediate altitudes.
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 older wind slabs are lying on surface hoar in some places. Towards its base, the snowpack is well consolidated.
Tendency
Weak layers in the upper part of the snowpack necessitate caution.
Danger level
Low, level 1.
Individual avalanche prone locations for dry avalanches are to be found on very steep shady slopes above approximately 2000 m, especially adjacent to ridgelines. The avalanche prone locations are rare and are easy to recognise.
Snowpack
From a snow sport perspective, in most cases insufficient snow is lying. Hardly any weak layers exist in the snowpack.
Tendency
Low, level 1.
