Danger level

2000m

Persistent weak layer		2000m
Wind-drifted snow		2600m

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 2200 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 2200 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

treeline

Wind-drifted snow		Treeline
Persistent weak layer		Treeline

Fresh wind slabs require caution. Weak layers in the upper part of the snowpack are treacherous.

Dry avalanches can be triggered in the weakly bonded old snow and reach large size in isolated cases. Remotely triggered avalanches are possible. Avalanche prone locations for dry avalanches are to be found in all aspects above the tree line. The avalanche prone locations are barely recognisable. Especially places where surface hoar has been covered with snow are treacherous. Whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack serve as an alarm indicating the danger.
The fresh wind slabs are easy to recognise but prone to triggering. The prevalence of such avalanche prone locations will increase with altitude, caution is to be exercised in particular adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls.
In addition a latent danger of gliding avalanches exists.
Meticulous route selection is important.

Snowpack

dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
dp.8: surface hoar blanketed with snow

Precarious weak layers exist in the top section of the snowpack. The somewhat older wind slabs are lying on surface hoar in some places.
The northwesterly wind will transport the loosely bonded old snow. In the course of the day the wind slabs will increase in size appreciably. The fresh wind slabs will be deposited on soft layers. As a consequence of low temperatures the snowpack can not consolidate.
Towards its base, the snowpack is well consolidated.

Tendency

Gradual increase in danger of dry avalanches as a consequence of new snow and wind, especially in the north.

Danger level

treeline

Wind-drifted snow		Treeline
Persistent weak layer		2300m

Fresh wind slabs require caution. Individual weak layers exist in the old snowpack.

As a consequence of the moderate to strong northwesterly wind, fresh snow drift accumulations will form. These are mostly rather small but can be released easily. Avalanches can in some places be released, even by a single winter sport participant and reach medium size. Caution is to be exercised in particular adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls above the tree line.
In isolated cases avalanches can be triggered in the faceted old snow and reach medium size in some cases. This applies in particular on very steep shady slopes above approximately 2300 m, as well as at transitions from a shallow to a deep snowpack.

Snowpack

dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
dp.1: deep persistent weak layer

The old snowpack is faceted; its surface consists of loosely bonded snow. The northwesterly wind will transport the loosely bonded old snow. In the course of the day the wind slabs will increase in size appreciably. The brittle wind slabs will be deposited on the unfavourable surface of an old snowpack. As a consequence of low temperatures the snowpack can not consolidate. Faceted weak layers exist in the bottom section of the snowpack at high altitudes and in high Alpine regions.

Tendency

The avalanche danger will persist. Gradual increase in danger of dry avalanches as a consequence of new snow and wind.

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.