The danger exists in particular in alpine snow sports terrain. As a consequence of new snow and a strong to storm force northwesterly wind, extensive wind slabs formed in the last few days in all aspects. Avalanches can be released easily. In some places avalanches can release the weakly bonded old snow as well and reach a dangerous size. Remotely triggered avalanches are possible. The avalanche prone locations are prevalent. They are to be found in all aspects above the tree line, also on steep west, north and east facing slopes in areas close to the tree line, as well as below the tree line. As a consequence of warming during the day and the solar radiation, the likelihood of slab avalanches being released will increase a little on very steep sunny slopes. As a consequence of solar radiation more frequent natural avalanches are possible. In the regions with a lot of snow gliding avalanches and snow slides are possible. The current avalanche situation calls for very extensive experience in the assessment of avalanche danger and great restraint.
Snowpack
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind dp.7: snow-poor zones in snow-rich surrounding
Over a wide area 30 to 50 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, has fallen. The wind was storm force over a wide area. In some cases the various wind slabs have bonded still only poorly with each other and the old snowpack. Towards its base, the snowpack is faceted and weak, especially on wind-protected west, north and east facing slopes. Whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack serve as an alarm indicating the danger. The weather conditions will cause a weakening of the snowpack as the day progresses in particular on very steep sunny slopes.
Tendency
The avalanche danger will decrease gradually. The snowpack remains prone to triggering.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind-drifted snow
Treeline
Persistent weak layer
2400m
A sometimes precarious avalanche situation will prevail.
The fresh snow and the wind slabs that are being formed by the storm force northwesterly wind represent the main danger. Avalanches can be released, even by a single winter sport participant and reach large size in isolated cases. The avalanche prone locations are quite prevalent. The avalanche prone locations are to be found also in areas close to the tree line and below the tree line. Avalanches can additionally be released in the weakly bonded old snow also, especially on steep shady slopes in areas close to the tree line, as well as on wind-loaded slopes at high altitudes and in high Alpine regions. On extremely steep sunny slopes more frequent loose snow avalanches are to be expected as the day progresses. As a consequence of warming during the day and the solar radiation, the likelihood of slab avalanches being released will increase on very steep sunny slopes. In the regions with a lot of snow gliding avalanches and snow slides are possible. The current avalanche situation calls for extensive experience in the assessment of avalanche danger and great restraint.
Snowpack
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind dp.7: snow-poor zones in snow-rich surrounding
Over a wide area 10 to 20 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, has fallen. The wind was storm force over a wide area. The fresh snow and the wind slabs that are being formed by the northwesterly wind will be deposited on soft layers. In some cases the various wind slabs have bonded still only poorly with each other and the old snowpack. Towards its base, the snowpack is faceted, especially on wind-protected shady slopes. Whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack are a clear indication of a weakly bonded snowpack.
Tendency
The snowpack remains in some cases prone to triggering.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind-drifted snow
Treeline
Persistent weak layer
Treeline
Wind-drifted snow
Treeline
A sometimes precarious avalanche situation will prevail.
The fresh snow and the wind slabs that are being formed by the storm force northwesterly wind represent the main danger. Avalanches can be released, even by a single winter sport participant and reach large size in isolated cases. The avalanche prone locations are quite prevalent. The avalanche prone locations are to be found also in areas close to the tree line and below the tree line. Avalanches can additionally be released in the weakly bonded old snow also, especially on steep shady slopes in areas close to the tree line, as well as on wind-loaded slopes at high altitudes and in high Alpine regions. On extremely steep sunny slopes more frequent loose snow avalanches are to be expected as the day progresses. As a consequence of warming during the day and the solar radiation, the likelihood of slab avalanches being released will increase on very steep sunny slopes. In the regions with a lot of snow gliding avalanches and snow slides are possible. The current avalanche situation calls for extensive experience in the assessment of avalanche danger and great restraint.
Snowpack
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind dp.7: snow-poor zones in snow-rich surrounding
Over a wide area 10 to 20 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, has fallen. The wind was storm force over a wide area. The fresh snow and the wind slabs that are being formed by the northwesterly wind will be deposited on soft layers. In some cases the various wind slabs have bonded still only poorly with each other and the old snowpack. Towards its base, the snowpack is faceted, especially on wind-protected shady slopes. Whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack are a clear indication of a weakly bonded snowpack.
Tendency
The snowpack remains in some cases prone to triggering.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind-drifted snow
Treeline
Fresh wind slabs represent the main danger.
As a consequence of new snow and a strong northwesterly wind, avalanche prone wind slabs formed in all aspects. They are to be avoided especially in steep terrain. Avalanches can be released, even by a single winter sport participant, but they will be small in most cases. The avalanche prone locations are clearly recognisable to the trained eye. The current avalanche situation calls for experience in the assessment of avalanche danger.
Snowpack
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
In some localities up to 10 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, has fallen. The wind will be storm force in some cases. In some cases the various wind slabs have bonded still only poorly with the old snowpack. Towards its base, the snowpack is faceted, especially on wind-protected shady slopes.
Tendency
The snowpack remains in some cases prone to triggering.
