Weakly bonded old snow requires caution. Fresh wind slabs are to be evaluated with care and prudence.
Weak layers in the old snowpack can still be released by individual winter sport participants. Caution is to be exercised in particular on steep shady slopes above approximately 2400 m, as well as on steep sunny slopes in high Alpine regions. In particular transitions from a shallow to a deep snowpack are especially unfavourable. Remotely triggered avalanches are possible in isolated cases. In isolated cases avalanches are large. Whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack indicate poor snowpack stability. The avalanche prone locations are but are barely recognisable, even to the trained eye. Defensive route selection is appropriate. The fresh wind slabs are in some cases prone to triggering, in particular on steep shady slopes above the tree line, as well as in all aspects at elevated altitudes. On very steep sunny slopes wet and gliding avalanches are possible as the day progresses.
Snowpack
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind dp.1: deep persistent weak layer
Distinct weak layers in the old snowpack confirm the complex avalanche situation on steep shady slopes. In its middle, the snowpack is faceted and weak, in particular on shady slopes above approximately 2400 m, as well as on sunny slopes at elevated altitudes. The fresh wind slabs will be deposited on the unfavourable surface of an old snowpack in particular on steep shady slopes at high altitudes and in high Alpine regions. As a consequence of mild temperatures and solar radiation the snowpack will consolidate. Sunshine and high temperatures will give rise as the day progresses to slight moistening of the snowpack. As a consequence of mild temperatures a crust formed on the surface during the last few days.
Tendency
Weakly bonded old snow is to be avoided.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind-drifted snow
Treeline
Wet snow
2400m
Wind slabs are to be avoided.
The wind slabs of the last few days are in some cases still prone to triggering. They are mostly rather small but can be released easily, in particular in areas where the snow cover is rather shallow. Caution is to be exercised on steep shady slopes above the tree line, as well as in all aspects at elevated altitudes. Avalanches can in very isolated cases be released in the weakly bonded old snow. Isolated whumpfing sounds indicate this situation. Steep slopes are to be traversed by snow sport participants one at a time. Careful route selection is recommended. On very steep sunny slopes more moist snow slides and avalanches are possible as the day progresses.
Snowpack
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind dp.1: deep persistent weak layer
The wind slabs of the weekend are in some cases still prone to triggering. They are poorly bonded with the old snowpack in particular on shady slopes. 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 intermediate and high altitudes. As a consequence of mild temperatures and solar radiation the snowpack consolidated. Sunshine and high temperatures will give rise as the day progresses to slight moistening of the snowpack.
Tendency
The weather conditions will foster a slow strengthening of the near-surface layers. The danger of dry avalanches will decrease gradually. On shady slopes the situation is less favourable. The danger of wet and gliding avalanches will increase a little during the day.
Danger level
2200m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2200m
Wind-drifted snow
2200m
Weakly bonded old snow is to be evaluated with care and prudence. Fresh wind slabs are to be avoided.
Avalanches can in some places be released in the weakly bonded old snow by a single winter sport participant, in particular on steep shady slopes at high altitudes and in high Alpine regions, as well as on steep sunny slopes in high Alpine regions. Mostly avalanches are medium-sized. Whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack indicate this situation. The number and size of avalanche prone locations will increase with altitude. The fresh wind slabs are in some cases prone to triggering. Caution is to be exercised on steep shady slopes at high altitudes and in high Alpine regions. On very steep sunny slopes gliding avalanches and moist snow slides are possible as the day progresses. Careful route selection is recommended. Steep slopes are to be traversed by snow sport participants one at a time.
Snowpack
dp.7: snow-poor zones in snow-rich surrounding dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
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 this situation. The wind slabs are in some cases still prone to triggering. They are poorly bonded with the old snowpack in particular on shady slopes. As a consequence of mild temperatures and solar radiation the snowpack will consolidate. Sunshine and high temperatures will give rise as the day progresses to slight moistening of the snowpack. As a consequence of rising temperatures a crust formed on the surface during the last few days.
Weak layers in the old snowpack can still be released by individual winter sport participants especially at transitions from a shallow to a deep snowpack. Caution is to be exercised in areas where the snow cover is rather shallow. Remotely triggered avalanches are possible in isolated cases. Mostly avalanches are medium-sized. Whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack indicate poor snowpack stability. The wind slabs of the last few days are to be evaluated with care and prudence in particular on steep shady slopes above approximately 2200 m. On very steep sunny slopes wet and gliding avalanches are possible as the day progresses, this also applies on steep shady slopes at intermediate altitudes.
Snowpack
dp.1: deep persistent weak layer dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
Faceted weak layers exist in the centre of the snowpack, in particular on shady slopes above approximately 2400 m, as well as on sunny slopes at high altitudes and in high Alpine regions. Field observations and snow profiles confirm this situation. The wind slabs are bonding only slowly with the old snowpack in particular on shady slopes. As a consequence of mild temperatures and solar radiation the snowpack will consolidate during the next few days. Sunshine and high temperatures will give rise as the day progresses to slight moistening of the snowpack.
Tendency
The weather conditions will foster a gradual strengthening of the near-surface layers. The danger of dry avalanches will decrease gradually. On shady slopes the situation is more dangerous. The danger of wet and gliding avalanches will increase a little during the day.
