Weak layers in the old snowpack necessitate caution. Wind slabs are to be evaluated with care and prudence.
Weak layers in the old snowpack can be released easily. Such avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular on shady slopes above the tree line. At elevated altitudes the avalanche prone locations are to be found in all aspects. The wind slabs are prone to triggering in all aspects above the tree line. Whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack serve as an alarm indicating the danger. Remotely triggered avalanches are possible. Mostly avalanches are medium-sized. In particular in the north and in the northeast the avalanche prone locations are more prevalent and the danger is slightly greater. Gliding avalanches can also occur, in particular on steep grassy slopes in the regions with a lot of snow. Experience in the assessment of avalanche danger is required.
Snowpack
dp.5: snowfall after a long period of cold dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
In particular on the Main Alpine Ridge and to the north up to 30 cm of snow has fallen. Some snow will fall in particular in the north. Faceted weak layers exist in the centre of the snowpack, in particular on shady slopes above the tree line, as well as on steep sunny slopes at elevated altitudes. The sometimes storm force wind has transported the fresh and old snow significantly. The fresh snow and the wind slabs are bonding only slowly with the old snowpack.
Tendency
As a consequence of low temperatures and the occasionally strong northwesterly wind, the snowpack can not consolidate.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind-drifted snow
Treeline
Gliding snow
2400m
Wind slabs require caution.
A lot of snow fell in the last few days in some regions. Since Tuesday the wind has been storm force over a wide area. The wind has transported the fresh and old snow significantly. The wind slabs can be released by a single winter sport participant in all aspects above the tree line. Avalanches can reach medium size. The somewhat older wind slabs are covered with new snow in some cases and therefore difficult to recognise.
As a consequence of warming more frequent gliding avalanches and snow slides are to be expected, but they will be mostly small. This applies in particular on steep grassy slopes below approximately 2400 m.
Snowpack
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind dp.2: gliding snow
A lot of snow fell in the last few days in some regions. Since Tuesday the wind has been storm force over a wide area. The wind has transported the new snow significantly. In some cases the various wind slabs have bonded poorly together.
Tendency
Some snow will fall in some regions. As a consequence of falling temperatures and the occasionally strong northwesterly wind, the snowpack can not consolidate.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
Treeline
Wind-drifted snow
Treeline
Weakly bonded old snow represents the main danger. Wind slabs are to be evaluated with care and prudence.
Weak layers in the old snowpack can be released over a wide area even by individual winter sport participants. Whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack serve as an alarm indicating the danger. Remotely triggered avalanches are possible.
The extensive wind slabs can be released by a single winter sport participant in all aspects above the tree line. Avalanches can reach medium size. The somewhat older wind slabs are covered with new snow in some cases and therefore difficult to recognise.
The number and size of avalanche prone locations will increase with altitude. Experience in the assessment of avalanche danger is required.
Snowpack
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind dp.5: snowfall after a long period of cold
A lot of snow fell in the last few days in some regions. Some snow will fall on Thursday over a wide area. Since Tuesday the wind has been storm force. The wind has transported the fresh and old snow significantly. In some cases the various wind slabs have bonded poorly with each other and the old snowpack.
Faceted weak layers exist in the centre of the snowpack, in particular on shady slopes above the tree line, as well as on steep sunny slopes at elevated altitudes.
