Avalanche.report

Tuesday 21.12.2021

Published 20 12 2021, 17:00


Danger level

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


Fresh wind slabs above approximately 2200 m.

As a consequence of a moderate to strong wind from northerly directions, sometimes avalanche prone wind slabs formed in the last few days above approximately 2200 m. These are mostly easy to recognise and can be released in isolated cases 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.
Avalanches can additionally in very isolated cases be released in the old snowpack by small loads, in particular on very steep slopes. In very isolated cases avalanches can also reach large size. Isolated whumpfing sounds can indicate the danger. Very steep, little used shady slopes are to be evaluated with care and prudence.

Snowpack

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

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.
In the vicinity of peaks the wind was moderate to strong at times. The fresh wind slabs are poorly bonded with the old snowpack in particular on steep 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 less snow than usual is lying.
Below the tree line, shady places that are protected from the wind: The snowpack is faceted; its surface is loosely bonded and consists of surface hoar.

Tendency

As a consequence of sharply falling temperatures the snowpack can not consolidate during the next two days.