Avalanche.report

Thursday 18.02.2021

Published 17 02 2021, 17:00


Danger level

2200m
Avalanche Problem
Wind-drifted snow
2200m
Persistent weak layer
2200m
Gliding snow
2400m


Fresh wind slabs especially adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls.

As a consequence of a moderate to strong wind from northwesterly directions, easily released wind slabs formed. The avalanche prone locations are to be found especially adjacent to ridgelines above approximately 2200 m. The number and size of avalanche prone locations will increase with altitude.
Avalanches can additionally in isolated cases be released in the weakly bonded old snow, in particular by large additional loads, especially at transitions from a shallow to a deep snowpack, when entering gullies and bowls for example. These avalanche prone locations are rare but are barely recognisable, even to the trained eye. Slight increase in danger of moist avalanches as a consequence of warming during the day and solar radiation. This applies especially in case of releases originating from very steep sunny starting zones.
Gliding avalanches can also occur at any time. Areas with glide cracks are to be avoided as far as possible.

Snowpack

dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
dp.7: snow-poor zones in snow-rich surrounding

The fresh and older wind slabs are lying on unfavourable layers in particular on steep shady slopes above approximately 2200 m. Avalanche prone weak layers exist in the centre of the snowpack. As a consequence of mild temperatures and solar radiation a crust will form on the surface during the night, in particular on steep sunny slopes below approximately 2400 m.

Tendency

The weather conditions will bring about a slow stabilisation of the snow drift accumulations.


Danger level

1800m
Avalanche Problem
Wind-drifted snow
1800m


Wind slabs require caution.

The fresh wind slabs are in some cases prone to triggering on steep shady slopes above approximately 1800 m. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls. The avalanches are only small.
Weak layers in the old snowpack can be released in isolated cases and mostly by large additional loads, especially at high altitude in the Western Kitzbühel Alps.

Snowpack

dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind

The moderate wind will transport the snow. The small wind slabs are lying on soft layers on shady slopes above approximately 1800 m. As a consequence of rising temperatures the snow drift accumulations will stabilise during the next few days. Individual weak layers exist in the centre of the snowpack. At low altitude a little snow is lying.

Tendency

The weather conditions will bring about a slow stabilisation of the snow drift accumulations.


Danger level

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


Wind slabs require caution.

The moderate wind will transport the snow. The small wind slabs can be released in particular on steep shady slopes above approximately 2400 m. The prevalence of avalanche prone locations and likelihood of triggering will increase with altitude.
Dry avalanches can additionally in isolated cases be released in the weakly bonded old snow, in particular by large additional loads, especially at transitions from a shallow to a deep snowpack, when entering gullies and bowls for example on very steep slopes. Such avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular on west to north to east facing aspects above approximately 2000 m.

Snowpack

dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
dp.7: snow-poor zones in snow-rich surrounding

The fresh wind slabs are lying on soft layers in particular on shady slopes above approximately 2400 m.
Avalanche prone weak layers exist in the centre of the snowpack, especially between approximately 2000 and 2400 m on steep west, north and east facing slopes.

Tendency

The weather conditions will bring about a slow stabilisation of the snow drift accumulations.