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. 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 west, 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. Remotely triggered avalanches are possible in isolated cases. In regions neighbouring those that are subject to danger level 2 (moderate) the avalanche prone locations are more rare and the danger is lower. In the regions with a lot of snow more gliding avalanches and moist snow slides are to be expected, even medium-sized ones. On extremely steep sunny slopes loose snow avalanches are possible as a consequence of solar radiation. Backcountry touring and other off-piste activities call for extensive experience in the assessment of avalanche danger and restraint.
Snowpack
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind dp.5: snowfall after a long period of cold
The fresh snow of the last few days and the wind slabs formed by the strong northwesterly wind are lying on top of a weakly bonded old snowpack on wind-protected west, north and east facing slopes. In some cases the various wind slabs have bonded poorly with each other and the old snowpack. As a consequence of a sometimes strong northwesterly wind, further wind slabs will form on Saturday. The old snowpack will be weakly bonded on the Main Alpine Ridge and to the north, especially on wind-protected shady slopes. Whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack serve as an alarm indicating the danger. Stability tests and field observations confirm this situation.
Tendency
The snowpack remains prone to triggering on the Main Alpine Ridge and to the north. In the evening as a consequence of the snowfall there will be an increase in the avalanche danger.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind-drifted snow
Treeline
Persistent weak layer
2200m
Wind slabs are to be evaluated with care and prudence.
Wind slabs represent the main danger. The fresh and somewhat older wind slabs can be released by a single winter sport participant in some cases at high altitudes and in high Alpine regions. They are to be avoided in particular in steep terrain. The avalanche prone locations are to be found especially on steep shady slopes and in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. Avalanches are rather small. In the regions neighbouring those that are subject to danger level 3 (considerable) the avalanche danger is higher. Meticulous route selection is recommended.
Snowpack
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind dp.5: snowfall after a long period of cold
The small quantity of fresh snow of the last few days and the wind slabs formed by the strong northwesterly wind are poorly bonded with the old snowpack in some places, especially on wind-protected shady slopes. As a consequence of a sometimes strong northwesterly wind, further wind slabs will form on Saturday. 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.
Tendency
In the evening as a consequence of the snowfall there will be an increase in the avalanche danger, in particular in the north.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind-drifted snow
Treeline
Wind slabs require caution.
Fresh and somewhat older wind slabs can be released in isolated cases at high altitudes and in high Alpine regions. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular on very steep shady slopes and adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls. Mostly avalanches are small. They are to be avoided especially in very steep terrain. In steep terrain there is a danger of falling on the hard snow surface.
Snowpack
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
The fresh and somewhat older 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.
Tendency
Low avalanche danger will prevail. Slight increase in avalanche danger as a consequence of new snow and wind, in particular in the north.
