Danger level
 | treeline
|
Avalanche Problem
 | | Wind-drifted snow |
|  | |  |
 | | Persistent weak layer |
|  | | |
A critical avalanche situation will prevail.
The fresh and somewhat older wind slabs can be released easily in all aspects above the tree line, especially at their margins. In addition the hard wind slabs are capable of being triggered. Avalanches can penetrate deep layers and reach large size. Caution is to be exercised also in areas close to the tree line. The avalanche prone locations are sometimes covered with new snow and are difficult to recognise. In the north and at elevated altitudes the avalanche prone locations are more prevalent and the danger is greater.
Gliding avalanches are possible.
In steep terrain there is a danger of falling on the hard snow surface. Caution and restraint are important.
Snowpack
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
dp.5: snowfall after a long period of cold
As a consequence of a sometimes strong wind from southwesterly directions, further wind slabs will form. The brittle wind slabs are lying on the unfavourable surface of an old snowpack. The old snowpack is faceted; its surface is loosely bonded and consists of surface hoar and faceted crystals. Whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack and field observations confirm poor snowpack stability.
Tendency
Fresh wind slabs require caution. Some snow will fall on Thursday.
Danger level
| treeline
|
Avalanche Problem
| | Wind-drifted snow |
| | | |
| | Persistent weak layer |
| | |  |
Wind slabs and weakly bonded old snow are to be critically assessed.
The fresh and somewhat older wind slabs can in some cases be released easily. In addition the hard wind slabs are capable of being triggered. The prevalence of the avalanche prone locations will increase at high altitude and in the high Alpine regions.
In particular on steep east, south and west facing slopes avalanches can be triggered in the faceted old snow and reach large size in some cases. This applies in particular above the tree line.
At low and intermediate altitudes individual gliding avalanches are possible. In steep terrain there is a danger of falling on the hard snow surface. Restraint is recommended.
Snowpack
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
dp.8: surface hoar blanketed with snow
As a consequence of a sometimes strong wind from southwesterly directions, sometimes easily released wind slabs will form. The brittle wind slabs must be evaluated with care and prudence in all aspects. Various wind slab layers are lying on soft layers. Places where surface hoar has been covered with snow are especially precarious. Towards its base, the snowpack is well consolidated.
Tendency
Fresh wind slabs are to be evaluated with care and prudence. Some snow will fall on Thursday.
Danger level
 | treeline
|
Avalanche Problem
| | Wind-drifted snow |
| | | |
| | Persistent weak layer |
| | | |
Wind slabs and weakly bonded old snow are to be assessed with care and prudence.
The fresh and somewhat older wind slabs can be released easily in all aspects. In addition the hard wind slabs are capable of being triggered. This applies above the tree line, as well as in areas close to the tree line. Mostly avalanches are medium-sized.
On steep sunny slopes individual gliding avalanches are possible.
In steep terrain there is a danger of falling on the hard snow surface. Caution and restraint are important.
Snowpack
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
dp.8: surface hoar blanketed with snow
As a consequence of a sometimes strong wind from southwesterly directions, further wind slabs will form in the course of the day. The brittle wind slabs are lying on unfavourable layers. Isolated avalanche prone weak layers exist in the top section of the snowpack. In particular places where surface hoar has been covered with snow are especially precarious. Towards its base, the snowpack is well consolidated.
Tendency
Some snow will fall on Thursday. Fresh wind slabs are to be evaluated with care and prudence.