The wind slabs of the last few days are in individual 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.7: snow-poor zones in snow-rich surrounding
The older wind slabs 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.
Danger level
2400m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2400m
Wind-drifted snow
2400m
Weakly bonded old snow is to be avoided. Wind slabs are to be evaluated with care and prudence.
Avalanches can in very isolated cases be released in the weakly bonded old snow by a single winter sport participant, in particular on very steep shady slopes above approximately 2400 m, as well as on steep sunny slopes in high Alpine regions. The number and size of avalanche prone locations will increase with altitude. Isolated whumpfing sounds can indicate the danger. The somewhat older wind slabs of the last few days are in individual cases still prone to triggering. Very steep shady slopes are to be traversed by snow sport participants one at a time. On very steep sunny slopes gliding avalanches and moist snow slides are possible as the day progresses.
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. Snow profiles and stability tests confirm the unfavourable bonding of the snowpack on very steep shady slopes. 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 consolidated. Sunshine and high temperatures gave rise to slight moistening of the snowpack. As a consequence of rising temperatures a crust formed on the surface during the last few days, especially on steep sunny slopes below approximately 2400 m, as well as in all aspects at low and intermediate altitudes.
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.
Danger level
2200m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2200m
Wind-drifted snow
2200m
Weakly bonded old snow is to be avoided. Wind slabs are to be evaluated with care and prudence.
Weak layers in the old snowpack can still be released in very isolated cases by individual winter sport participants, in particular on very steep shady slopes above approximately 2200 m, as well as on steep sunny slopes in high Alpine regions. In very isolated cases avalanches can also reach large size. Isolated whumpfing sounds can indicate the danger. The number and size of avalanche prone locations will increase with altitude. In particular transitions from a shallow to a deep snowpack are unfavourable. Very steep shady slopes are to be traversed by snow sport participants one at a time. In addition the clearly visible wind slabs should be taken into account. These are mostly only small but in some cases prone to triggering. Avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain and in shady places that are protected from the wind above approximately 2200 m. On very steep sunny slopes individual gliding avalanches and moist snow slides are possible as the day progresses.
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 in high Alpine regions. In areas where the snow cover is rather shallow the likelihood of avalanches is higher. Snow profiles and stability tests confirm the unfavourable bonding of the snowpack in these altitude zones. In addition the fresh wind slabs are prone to triggering in some locations. They are poorly bonded with the old snowpack in particular on shady slopes. Wind slabs are mostly only small. As a consequence of mild temperatures and solar radiation the snowpack consolidated. As a consequence of rising temperatures and a crust formed on the surface during the last few days, especially on steep sunny slopes below approximately 2400 m, as well as in all aspects at low and intermediate altitudes. Snow depths vary greatly above the tree line, depending on the infuence of the wind.
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.
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.
