Avalanche.report

Sunday 12.12.2021

Published 11 12 2021, 17:00


Danger level

treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind-drifted snow
Treeline
Persistent weak layer
Treeline
Wind-drifted snow
Treeline


A precarious avalanche situation will persist in some cases.

The fresh and older wind slabs are prone to triggering. Even single winter sport participants can release avalanches. Caution is to be exercised in all aspects in areas close to the tree line, as well as above the tree line. The avalanche prone locations are sometimes covered with new snow and are difficult to recognise. They are currently prevalent immediately adjacent to the pistes as well. Isolated natural avalanches are possible as a consequence of the strong northerly wind, in particular at elevated altitudes on wind-loaded slopes.
Avalanches can in some places be released in the weakly bonded old snow, especially in areas where the snow cover is rather shallow. Avalanches can reach large size in isolated cases. Remotely triggered avalanches are possible. Whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack indicate poor snowpack stability.
In the regions with a lot of snow individual gliding avalanches are possible.
Extensive experience in the assessment of avalanche danger and great restraint are required.

Snowpack

dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
dp.5: snowfall after a long period of cold

In some cases the various wind slabs have bonded poorly with each other and the old snowpack. As a consequence of the strong to storm force northerly wind, fresh snow drift accumulations will form on Sunday.
Faceted weak layers exist in the centre of the snowpack, in particular on shady slopes above the tree line, as well as on sunny slopes at elevated altitudes.
Field observations and snow profiles confirm the complex avalanche situation.
Some snow will fall in the evening in the north and in the northeast.

Tendency

The snowpack remains prone to triggering. The meteorological conditions will foster a slow strengthening of the near-surface layers.


Danger level

treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind-drifted snow
Treeline
Persistent weak layer
Treeline
Wind-drifted snow
Treeline


A precarious avalanche situation will persist in some cases.

The fresh and older wind slabs are prone to triggering. Even single winter sport participants can release avalanches. Caution is to be exercised in all aspects in areas close to the tree line, as well as above the tree line. The avalanche prone locations are sometimes covered with new snow and are difficult to recognise. They are currently prevalent immediately adjacent to the pistes as well. Isolated natural avalanches are possible as a consequence of the strong northerly wind, in particular at elevated altitudes on wind-loaded slopes.
Avalanches can in some places be released in the weakly bonded old snow, especially in areas where the snow cover is rather shallow. Avalanches can reach large size in isolated cases. Remotely triggered avalanches are possible. Whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack indicate poor snowpack stability.
Extensive experience in the assessment of avalanche danger and great restraint are required.

Snowpack

dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
dp.5: snowfall after a long period of cold

In some cases the various wind slabs have bonded poorly with each other and the old snowpack. As a consequence of the strong to storm force northerly wind, fresh snow drift accumulations will form on Sunday.
Faceted weak layers exist in the centre of the snowpack, in particular on shady slopes above the tree line, as well as on sunny slopes at elevated altitudes.
Field observations and snow profiles confirm the complex avalanche situation.

Tendency

The snowpack remains prone to triggering. The meteorological conditions will foster a slow strengthening of the near-surface layers.