Weakly bonded old snow and gliding snow require caution.
The new snow and wind slabs are lying on top of a weakly bonded old snowpack. Avalanches can in many places be released, even by a single winter sport participant and reach large size in isolated cases. Natural avalanches are possible. Caution is to be exercised 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. The avalanche prone locations are covered with new snow and are difficult to recognise. Their prevalence will increase with altitude. Remotely triggered avalanches are possible. Gliding avalanches are also to be expected. This applies in particular on steep grassy slopes below approximately 2200 m. Extensive 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
Over a wide area 20 to 40 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, will fall. As a consequence of new snow and strong wind the wind slabs will increase in size once again on Sunday. The new snow and wind slabs are lying on top of a weakly bonded old snowpack above the tree line. 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 barely recognisable wind slabs will become increasingly prone to triggering at elevated altitudes. Whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack indicate the unfavourable bonding of the snowpack.
Tendency
As a consequence of falling temperatures the snowpack can not consolidate. The new snow and wind slabs remain prone to triggering. This applies in particular at elevated altitudes. The avalanche danger will persist.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
Treeline
Gliding snow
2400m
Wind-drifted snow
Treeline
Weakly bonded old snow represents the main danger. Gliding avalanches can also occur.
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. These avalanche prone locations are covered with new snow and are therefore barely recognisable, even to the trained eye. In addition a certain danger of gliding avalanches and snow slides exists. In the regions exposed to rain this applies on steep grassy slopes. The fresh wind slabs are to be evaluated with care and prudence above the tree line. These avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls in all aspects. 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 has fallen. The wind was moderate to strong over a wide area. 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. As a consequence of low temperatures a crust will form on the surface, in particular at low and intermediate altitudes.
Tendency
The avalanche danger will persist. Fresh wind slabs at high altitude.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
Treeline
Wind-drifted snow
Treeline
Weakly bonded old snow represents the main danger. Fresh wind slabs require caution.
The new snow and wind slabs are lying on top of a weakly bonded old snowpack. Avalanches can in many places be released, even by a single winter sport participant and reach large size in isolated cases. Caution is to be exercised 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. The avalanche prone locations are covered with new snow and are difficult to recognise. Their prevalence will increase with altitude. In the regions exposed to heavier precipitation the avalanche prone locations are more prevalent and larger. Remotely triggered avalanches are possible. Extensive 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
Over a wide area 10 to 20 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, will fall. As a consequence of new snow and strong wind the wind slabs will increase in size additionally on Sunday. The new snow and wind slabs are lying on top of a weakly bonded old snowpack above the tree line. 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 barely recognisable wind slabs will become increasingly prone to triggering at elevated altitudes. Whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack indicate the unfavourable bonding of the snowpack.
Tendency
As a consequence of falling temperatures the snowpack can not consolidate. The new snow and wind slabs remain prone to triggering. This applies in particular at elevated altitudes. The avalanche danger will persist.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind-drifted snow
Treeline
Fresh wind slabs represent the main danger.
The fresh wind slabs are prone to triggering in all aspects above the tree line. At elevated altitudes these avalanche prone locations will become more prevalent as the day progresses. The avalanche prone locations are barely recognisable because of the poor visibility. In some cases the avalanches are medium-sized. Experience in the assessment of avalanche danger is required.
Snowpack
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
10 to 20 cm of snow 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. As a consequence of falling temperatures a crust formed on the surface. This applies at low and intermediate 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.
