Weak layers in the old snowpack necessitate caution. Wind slabs are to be evaluated with care and prudence.
The wind slabs of the last few days are in some cases still prone to triggering. They can be released by a single winter sport participant. The avalanche prone locations are to be found on steep shady slopes above approximately 2200 m. Adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls the avalanche prone locations are more prevalent. Avalanches can in some places be released in deeper layers, even by a single winter sport participant. This applies on steep west, north and east facing slopes between approximately 2200 and 2600 m. Avalanches can in some cases reach dangerously large size.
On extremely steep sunny slopes individual small loose snow avalanches are possible as a consequence of warming during the day and solar radiation.
Snowpack
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
As a consequence of a moderate to strong southwesterly wind, further wind slabs will form on Thursday. In some cases the various wind slabs have bonded poorly with each other and the old snowpack. They are mostly easy to recognise but prone to triggering. In its middle, the snowpack is faceted and weak, especially on shady slopes between approximately 2200 and 2600 m.
Tendency
As a consequence of falling temperatures and the light to moderate westerly wind, the snow drift accumulations will stabilise during the next few days.
Danger level
2200m
Avalanche Problem
Wind-drifted snow
2200m
Persistent weak layer
2600m
2200m
Wind slabs and weakly bonded old snow require caution.
The fresh snow of the last few days and in particular the extensive wind slabs formed by the strong to storm force northwesterly wind can be released by a single winter sport participant in particular on steep northwest, north and southeast facing slopes above approximately 2200 m. On steep, little used shady slopes and at elevated altitudes the likelihood of avalanches is higher.
Faceted weak layers exist in the centre of the snowpack in particular on steep west, north and east facing slopes. Shady slopes are especially critical, in particular between approximately 2200 and 2600 m. Avalanches can in very isolated cases be released in the old snowpack and reach dangerously large size. Caution is to be exercised at transitions from a shallow to a deep snowpack, when entering gullies and bowls for example.
In addition a latent danger of gliding avalanches exists, especially on steep grassy slopes.
Snowpack
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
The sometimes storm force wind has transported a lot of snow. Avalanche prone wind slabs formed. This applies on steep northwest, north and southeast facing slopes above approximately 2200 m. The fresh wind slabs are lying on soft layers in particular on wind-protected shady slopes and in high Alpine regions. As a consequence of rising temperatures and solar radiation the snow drift accumulations will stabilise, in particular on steep sunny slopes below approximately 2600 m. In its middle, the snowpack is faceted and weak, especially on shady slopes between approximately 2200 and 2600 m.
Tendency
The avalanche danger will decrease gradually.
Danger level
2200m
Avalanche Problem
Wind-drifted snow
2200m
Wind slabs are to be evaluated with care and prudence.
The wind slabs of the last few days represent the main danger. They are mostly only small but prone to triggering. They can be released even by a single winter sport participant especially on steep shady slopes above approximately 2200 m. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular in places that are protected from the wind and in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. Avalanches can in very isolated cases be released in deeper layers also. This applies on steep west, north and east facing slopes between approximately 2200 and 2600 m. Avalanches can reach large size in isolated cases.
Snowpack
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
As a consequence of a moderate to strong southwesterly wind, further wind slabs will form on Thursday. The fresh and older wind slabs are bonding poorly with the old snowpack in particular on wind-protected shady slopes. They are mostly easy to recognise but prone to triggering. In its middle, the snowpack is faceted and weak, especially on shady slopes between approximately 2200 and 2600 m.
Tendency
The fresh wind slabs represent the main danger. As a consequence of falling temperatures and the light to moderate westerly wind, the snow drift accumulations will stabilise during the next few days.
