Weakly bonded old snow represents the main danger. Increase in danger of gliding avalanches and moist snow slides as the snowfall level rises.
Gradual increase in avalanche danger as the snowfall level rises. Weak layers in the old snowpack can be released over a wide area even by individual winter sport participants, in particular on steep shady slopes above the tree line, as well as in all aspects at elevated altitudes. 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. Avalanches can reach dangerously large size. In addition the danger of gliding avalanches and moist snow slides will increase as the day progresses. In the regions exposed to rain this applies in particular. The fresh wind slabs are to be evaluated with care and prudence. These avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls in northwest to north to southeast facing aspects. This applies above the tree line. The somewhat older wind slabs are covered with new snow and therefore difficult to recognise. Mostly the avalanches are medium-sized. Defensive route selection is important.
Snowpack
dp.5: snowfall after a long period of cold dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
15 to 30 cm of snow will fall. In the south less snow will fall. Up to intermediate altitudes rain will fall. 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. Whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack confirm the existence of a weak snowack. The fresh wind slabs are lying on soft layers at high altitudes and in high Alpine regions. These will become increasingly prone to triggering at elevated altitudes.
Tendency
The avalanche danger will persist. As a consequence of falling temperatures a crust will form on the surface. This applies at low and intermediate altitudes.
Danger level
2400m
Avalanche Problem
Gliding snow
2400m
Wind-drifted snow
Treeline
Increase in danger of gliding avalanches and moist snow slides as the snowfall level rises. Fresh wind slabs at elevated altitudes.
Some mostly small gliding avalanches and moist snow slides are possible as the snowfall level rises. In the regions exposed to rain this applies in particular. In addition the fresh wind slabs in particular adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls and at elevated altitudes are easily triggered for a short time. The avalanche prone locations are barely recognisable because of the poor visibility. The avalanches are rather small. Experience in the assessment of avalanche danger is required.
Snowpack
dp.2: gliding snow dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
15 to 30 cm of snow will fall. In the south less snow will fall. Up to intermediate altitudes rain will fall. The fresh wind slabs are lying on soft layers at high altitudes and in high Alpine regions. These will become increasingly prone to triggering at elevated altitudes.
Tendency
The avalanche danger will persist. As a consequence of falling temperatures a crust will form on the surface. This applies at low and intermediate altitudes.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
Treeline
Wind-drifted snow
Treeline
Weakly bonded old snow represents the main danger. Wind slabs require caution.
Weak layers in the old snowpack can be released over a wide area even by individual winter sport participants, in particular on steep shady slopes above the tree line, as well as in all aspects at elevated altitudes. Whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack serve as an alarm indicating the danger. Caution is to be exercised at transitions from a shallow to a deep snowpack. Remotely triggered avalanches are possible. The fresh and older wind slabs can be released by a single winter sport participant in some cases especially on northwest to north to east facing aspects above the tree line. They are covered with new snow in some cases and therefore difficult to recognise. The prevalence of these avalanche prone locations will increase with altitude. Mostly the avalanches are medium-sized. 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 the north and in the northeast 5 to 20 cm of snow will fall. In the south less snow will fall. 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. Whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack confirm the existence of a weak snowack. The fresh wind slabs will become increasingly prone to triggering at elevated altitudes.
Tendency
As a consequence of the occasionally strong northerly wind, fresh snow drift accumulations will form. As a consequence of falling temperatures the snowpack can not consolidate. This applies in particular at elevated altitudes.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind-drifted snow
Treeline
Persistent weak layer
Treeline
Wind slabs and weakly bonded old snow are to be assessed with care and prudence.
The fresh and older wind slabs are in some cases still prone to triggering in particular on northwest to north to east facing aspects above the tree line. They are covered with new snow and therefore difficult to recognise. Weak layers in the old snowpack can still be released in some places by individual winter sport participants. 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. Whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack serve as an alarm indicating the danger. Mostly avalanches are rather small. 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
Some snow will fall in some regions. 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 in all aspects at elevated altitudes. Whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack indicate the existence of a weak snowack.
Tendency
As a consequence of the occasionally strong northerly wind, fresh snow drift accumulations will form. As a consequence of falling temperatures the snowpack can not consolidate. This applies in particular at elevated altitudes.
