Avalanche.report

Wednesday 19.01.2022

Published 18 01 2022, 17:00


Danger level

2400m
Avalanche Problem
Wind-drifted snow
2400m


A widespread favourable avalanche situation will prevail. Wind slabs require caution.

As a consequence of a strong wind, mostly small wind slabs formed in the last few days in particular at elevated altitudes. They are to be evaluated with care and prudence in particular in steep terrain. Additionally in very isolated cases avalanches can also be released in the old snowpack. Caution is to be exercised in areas where the snow cover is rather shallow. Individual avalanche prone locations are to be found on very steep shady slopes above approximately 2400 m and in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain.
Apart from the danger of being buried, restraint should be exercised as well in view of the danger of avalanches sweeping people along and giving rise to falls.

Snowpack

dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
dp.4: cold following warm / warm following cold

The snowpack is well consolidated. Field observations and stability tests have confirmed a widespread favourable avalanche situation.
The fresh wind slabs are lying on soft layers in particular on west to north to east facing aspects above approximately 2400 m. As a consequence of solar radiation the snow drift accumulations stabilised.
In very isolated cases weak layers exist in the centre of the snowpack. This applies in particular on very steep shady slopes above approximately 2400 m.
At elevated altitudes snow depths vary greatly, depending on the infuence of the wind. Over a wide area less snow than usual is lying.

Tendency

On Thursday as a consequence of new snow and wind there will be only a slight increase in the danger of dry avalanches, in particular in the north and in the northeast. In the other regions the avalanche danger is low (level 1).


Danger level

2400m
Avalanche Problem
Wind-drifted snow
2400m
Persistent weak layer
2400m


A generally favourable avalanche situation will prevail.

The snowpack will be generally well bonded. As a consequence of a sometimes strong wind from northerly directions, mostly small wind slabs formed in the last few days at elevated altitudes. These avalanche prone locations are to be found on very steep shady slopes above approximately 2400 m and in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. The fresh wind slabs are to be evaluated with care and prudence in steep terrain. In very isolated cases avalanches can be triggered in the faceted old snow and reach medium size, in particular on very steep shady slopes, and on wind-loaded slopes.
Apart from the danger of being buried, restraint should be exercised as well in view of the danger of avalanches sweeping people along and giving rise to falls.

Snowpack

As a consequence of mild temperatures and solar radiation the snowpack settled. Field observations and stability tests have confirmed this situation.
Fresh and older wind slabs can be released in isolated cases, but mostly only by large additional loads, in particular on very steep shady slopes and at elevated altitudes. In very isolated cases weak layers exist in the centre of the snowpack, in particular on very steep shady slopes.
At elevated altitudes snow depths vary greatly, depending on the infuence of the wind. On sunny slopes below approximately 2200 m only a little snow is lying.

Tendency

A generally favourable avalanche situation will prevail.