Artificially triggered avalanches and stability tests confirm a sometimes precarious avalanche situation.
The large quantity of fresh snow of the last few days as well as the extensive wind slabs are to be evaluated with care and prudence. Dry avalanches can over a wide area be released, even by a single winter sport participant and reach large size. Such avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular on wind-protected northwest, north and east facing slopes and adjacent to ridgelines, also in shady places that are protected from the wind in areas close to the tree line, as well as below the tree line. Backcountry touring and other off-piste activities call for extensive experience in the assessment of avalanche danger and restraint. At low and intermediate altitudes and on steep grassy slopes numerous gliding avalanches and moist snow slides are to be expected, in particular medium-sized ones. On extremely steep sunny slopes dry loose snow avalanches are possible as a consequence of solar radiation.
Snowpack
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind dp.2: gliding snow
Over a wide area 50 to 120 cm of snow, and up to 200 cm in some localities, has fallen since Monday. The wind has transported the new snow significantly. This applies in particular on wind-protected northwest, north and east facing slopes at high altitudes and in high Alpine regions. In some cases the various wind slabs have bonded poorly with each other and the old snowpack. The new snow of the last few days is lying on surface hoar in particular on wind-protected shady slopes in areas close to the tree line. The old snowpack is faceted and weak, especially on wind-protected shady slopes in the western part of the main Alpine ridge.
Tendency
The meteorological conditions fostered a strengthening of the snowpack. Gradual decrease in avalanche danger.
Danger level
1800m
Avalanche Problem
New snow
1800m
Gliding snow
2400m
The conditions are sometimes precarious for backcountry touring and other off-piste activities outside marked and open pistes.
The new snow and wind slabs of the last few days are to be evaluated with care and prudence. Dry avalanches can over a wide area be released, even by a single winter sport participant and reach large size in isolated cases. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular on wind-protected northwest, north and east facing slopes at high altitudes and in high Alpine regions, also on very steep shady slopes in areas close to the tree line. Backcountry touring and other off-piste activities call for extensive experience in the assessment of avalanche danger and restraint. In regions neighbouring those that are subject to danger level 2 (moderate) the avalanche prone locations are more rare and the danger is lower. At low and intermediate altitudes and on steep grassy slopes more gliding avalanches and moist snow slides are to be expected, even medium-sized ones. On extremely steep sunny slopes dry loose snow avalanches are possible as a consequence of solar radiation.
Snowpack
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind dp.2: gliding snow
Over a wide area 40 to 80 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, has fallen since Monday. The wind was strong to storm force. The wind has transported the new snow significantly. In some cases the various wind slabs have bonded poorly with each other and the old snowpack. Artificially triggered avalanches and stability tests confirm the existence of a weak snowack. The old snowpack is weak in some cases, especially on wind-protected shady slopes.
Tendency
Gradual decrease in avalanche danger.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind-drifted snow
Treeline
Wind slabs are to be evaluated with care and prudence.
Wind slabs represent the main danger. The fresh wind slabs can be released by a single winter sport participant in some cases at high altitudes and in high Alpine regions. The avalanche prone locations are to be found especially on steep shady slopes and adjacent to ridgelines and in pass areas. Avalanches are rather small. Wind slabs are to be avoided in steep terrain. In steep terrain there is a danger of falling on the hard snow surface.
Snowpack
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
5 to 20 cm of snow has fallen since Monday. The wind was strong to storm force. The strong wind has transported some snow. The wind slabs are lying on soft layers in particular on steep shady slopes. The old snowpack will be generally stable. At elevated altitudes snow depths vary greatly, depending on the infuence of the wind. Only a small amount of snow is lying for the time of year.
