At high altitudes and in high Alpine regions a sometimes critical 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 on steep shady slopes in areas close to the tree line, as well as in all aspects at high altitudes and in high Alpine regions. They are currently prevalent immediately adjacent to the pistes as well. 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. During the day: As a consequence of warming during the day and solar radiation individual wet and gliding avalanches are possible, in particular on very steep sunny slopes. Experience and restraint are required.
Snowpack
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
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 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. As a consequence of warming during the day and solar radiation individual wet small and medium sized avalanches are possible.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind-drifted snow
Treeline
Persistent weak layer
Treeline
Wet snow
2400m
A sometimes critical 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 on steep shady slopes in areas close to the tree line, as well as in all aspects at high altitudes and in high Alpine regions. 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. As a consequence of warming during the day and solar radiation wet small and medium sized avalanches are to be expected, in particular on very steep sunny slopes. Experience and 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. 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. As a consequence of warming during the day and solar radiation wet small and medium sized avalanches are possible.
