Avalanche.report

Saturday 16.01.2021

Published15 01 2021, 17:00


Danger level

treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind-drifted snow
Treeline
New snow


A dangerous avalanche situation will be encountered over a wide area.

Great caution and restraint are important.
The new snow and wind slabs are lying on the unfavourable surface of an old snowpack in all aspects. Avalanches can in many places be released very easily and reach dangerously large size. More natural avalanches are possible. In the event of solar radiation this applies in particular on wind-loaded slopes as well as.
As a consequence of the strong wind the already large wind slabs will increase in size once again. Caution is to be exercised also below the tree line. The avalanche prone locations are covered with new snow and are difficult to recognise. Remotely triggered avalanches are possible.
Slides are to be expected on cut slopes.

Snowpack

dp.5: snowfall after a long period of cold
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind

Over a wide area 40 to 100 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, has fallen since Wednesday. The old snowpack is faceted; its surface is loosely bonded and consists of surface hoar and faceted crystals. The strong wind will transport the new snow and, in some cases, old snow as well. The brittle wind slabs are lying on the unfavourable surface of an old snowpack. Whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack and avalanches triggered by explosives confirm poor snowpack stability.

Tendency

A dangerous avalanche situation will persist in some regions. Caution and restraint are important.


Danger level

1800m
Avalanche Problem
Wind-drifted snow
1800m
Persistent weak layer
Treeline


A dangerous avalanche situation will prevail. New snow and wind slabs represent the main danger.

Caution and restraint are important.
The new snow and wind slabs are lying on the unfavourable surface of an old snowpack in all aspects, also in areas close to the tree line, as well as below the tree line. Avalanches can in many places be released very easily and reach large size in isolated cases.
Natural avalanches are possible. As a consequence of the sometimes strong wind the wind slabs will increase in size additionally as the day progresses. The avalanche prone locations are covered with new snow and are difficult to recognise. In the regions neighbouring those that are subject to danger level 4 (high) the avalanche danger is higher.
In addition a latent danger of gliding avalanches exists.

Snowpack

dp.5: snowfall after a long period of cold
dp.8: surface hoar blanketed with snow

Over a wide area 10 to 30 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, has fallen since Wednesday, in particular in the north and in the northwest. In the southeast a little new snow. The old snowpack consists of faceted crystals; its surface is loosely bonded and consists of surface hoar and faceted crystals. The sometimes storm force wind has transported the new snow and, in some cases, old snow as well. The brittle wind slabs are lying on unfavourable layers in all aspects.
Precarious weak layers exist in the centre of the snowpack.

Tendency

The avalanche conditions are to some extent precarious. New snow and wind slabs are to be assessed with care and prudence.


Danger level

treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind-drifted snow
Treeline
Persistent weak layer
2200m


A dangerous avalanche situation will prevail. The new snow and wind slabs remain prone to triggering.

Caution and restraint are important.
The new snow and wind slabs are prone to triggering in all aspects. This applies above the tree line, as well as in areas close to the tree line. Avalanches can in many places be released easily and reach medium size. As a consequence of the strong wind the wind slabs will increase in size additionally as the day progresses. The avalanche prone locations are covered with new snow and are difficult to recognise.
Remotely triggered avalanches are possible in isolated cases.

Snowpack

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

5 to 10 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, has fallen since Wednesday. The strong wind has transported the fresh and old snow significantly. The old snowpack consists of faceted crystals; its surface is loosely bonded and consists of surface hoar and faceted crystals. The brittle wind slabs are lying on unfavourable layers.
Isolated avalanche prone weak layers exist in the top section of the snowpack. Whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack have confirmed poor snowpack stability.

Tendency

A critical avalanche situation will persist in some regions. Caution and restraint are recommended.