Danger level
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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.