Avalanche.report

Thursday 11.02.2021

Published 10 02 2021, 17:00


Danger level

treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind-drifted snow
Treeline
Gliding snow
2000m


New snow and wind slabs represent the main danger. Gliding snow requires caution. Considerable avalanche danger will still be encountered.

Over a wide area 10 to 20 cm of snow, and up to 30 cm in some localities, fell on Wednesday above approximately 1000 m. The new snow and wind slabs remain very prone to triggering in all aspects above the tree line. This applies in particular on very steep slopes, and adjacent to ridgelines. Dry avalanches can be released by small loads or triggered naturally.
In addition a latent danger of gliding avalanches and moist snow slides exists. Until the temperature falls more medium-sized moist slab avalanches are possible. They can also penetrate deep layers and reach quite a large size, caution is to be exercised, including on cut and grassy slopes.
Extensive experience in the assessment of avalanche danger is required. Areas with glide cracks are to be avoided as far as possible.

Snowpack

dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
dp.3: rain

As a consequence of a moderate to strong northerly wind, easily released wind slabs will form especially adjacent to ridgelines. This also applies in gullies and bowls below the tree line. Over a wide area new snow and wind slabs are lying on the smooth surface of an old snowpack, especially above approximately 1900 m.
The old snowpack is moist, in particular at low and intermediate altitudes. Faceted weak layers exist in the centre of the snowpack in particular above the tree line.

Tendency

Gradual decrease in danger of moist and wet avalanches as the temperature drops. This applies in particular below approximately 2000 m. Fresh wind slabs are to be evaluated with care and prudence.


Danger level

2000m
Avalanche Problem
Wind-drifted snow
2000m
Gliding snow
2400m
Persistent weak layer
2000m


Fresh wind slabs represent the main danger. Gliding snow requires caution.

High altitudes and the high Alpine regions: The fresh snow and in particular the sometimes deep wind slabs can be released easily in all aspects. The number and size of avalanche prone locations will increase with altitude. On extremely steep sunny slopes individual loose snow avalanches are possible. Avalanches can also penetrate deep layers and reach dangerously large size. Weak layers in the upper part of the snowpack can still be released in some places by individual winter sport participants in particular in areas where the snow cover is rather shallow.
Low and intermediate altitudes: A latent danger of gliding avalanches exists. Areas with glide cracks are to be avoided as far as possible. As a consequence of a sometimes strong northerly foehn wind, sometimes avalanche prone wind slabs will form in the course of the day also below the tree line.

Snowpack

dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
dp.2: gliding snow

2 to 10 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, fell on Wednesday above approximately 1500 m. The fresh wind slabs are lying on soft layers in all aspects above the tree line.
The old snowpack is moist, in particular at low and intermediate altitudes.
Avalanche prone weak layers exist in the centre of the snowpack in all aspects, in particular above approximately 2000 m.

Tendency

Fresh wind slabs require caution. In addition a latent danger of gliding avalanches exists.