Avalanche.report

Monday 20.12.2021

Published 19 12 2021, 17:00


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.

Tendency

Weakly bonded old snow requires caution. Fresh wind slabs require caution.


Danger level

2200m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2200m
Wind-drifted snow
2200m


Weakly bonded old snow is to be avoided. Fresh wind slabs require caution.

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 areas where the snow cover is rather shallow are unfavourable. Very steep shady slopes are to be traversed by snow sport participants one at a time.
In addition the fresh and older wind slabs should be taken into account. As a consequence of the sometimes strong wind the wind slabs will increase in size moderately as the day progresses. These are easy to recognise and can be released easily especially at their margins. In particular transitions from a shallow to a deep snowpack are unfavourable. 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.

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. In the vicinity of peaks the wind will be moderate to strong for a temporary period. The wind slabs are poorly bonded with the old snowpack in particular on shady slopes.
As a consequence of rising temperatures a crust formed on the surface during the last few days, especially on steep sunny slopes below approximately 2600 m. Snow depths vary greatly above the tree line, depending on the infuence of the wind. On steep sunny slopes a little snow is lying.

Tendency

Hardly any decrease in avalanche danger. On shady slopes the situation is less favourable.


Danger level

treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind-drifted snow
Treeline


Wind slabs are to be avoided.

The fresh and older wind slabs 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. Very steep, little used slopes are to be traversed by snow sport participants one at a time. Careful route selection is recommended.

Snowpack

dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
dp.7: snow-poor zones in snow-rich surrounding

Some snow will fall. The wind will be moderate to strong for a temporary period. The fresh and 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 a crust formed on the surface during the last few days. This applies in particular on steep shady slopes, as well as in all aspects at low and intermediate altitudes.

Tendency

Hardly any decrease in avalanche danger. On shady slopes the situation is less favourable.