Avalanche.report

Sunday 18.12.2022

Published 17 12 2022, 17:00


Danger level

treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Persistent weak layer
Treeline


Wind slabs are to be evaluated with care and prudence.

As a consequence of new snow and a moderate wind from southerly directions, sometimes avalanche prone wind slabs formed in the last few days adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls as well as at high altitude. Avalanches can be released by a single winter sport participant. On wind-loaded slopes medium-sized avalanches are possible.
Natural avalanches are still possible in particular in the middle of the day in isolated cases. Mostly they are small. In addition in particular on south and southwest facing slopes, further small and medium-sized gliding avalanches are possible.
The avalanche prone locations are to be found in all aspects above approximately 1800 m. Caution is to be exercised in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain, as well as adjacent to ridgelines.

Snowpack

Over a wide area 20 to 30 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, has fallen since Thursday above approximately 1500 m. In the last two days sometimes avalanche prone wind slabs formed in some localities. Towards its base, the snowpack is faceted.

Tendency

The avalanche danger will persist.


Danger level

2000m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2000m
Wind slab
2000m


Weakly bonded old snow requires caution. Fresh wind slabs adjacent to ridgelines.

Weak layers in the old snowpack can be released in isolated cases by individual winter sport participants. Such avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular on very steep shady slopes above approximately 2000 m, especially at the base of rock walls and behind abrupt changes in the terrain, as well as on wind-loaded slopes. Here medium-sized avalanches are possible.

In addition the mostly small wind slabs adjacent to ridgelines and in pass areas are prone to triggering. Individual avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular on north and east facing slopes at elevated altitudes. The fresh wind slabs are to be avoided in particular in terrain where there is a danger of falling.

Snowpack

dp.1: deep persistent weak layer
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind

Avalanche prone weak layers exist in the old snowpack, especially on steep shady slopes above approximately 2000 m. Fresh wind slabs are lying on soft layers in particular on near-ridge shady slopes. Only a small amount of snow is lying for the time of year.

Tendency

Monday:
Significant warming. Increase in danger of moist and wet snow slides.


Danger level

2000m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2000m
Wind slab
2000m


Weakly bonded old snow represents the main danger.

Weak layers in the old snowpack can be released in some places by individual winter sport participants. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular on steep west, north and east facing slopes above approximately 2000 m, especially in shady places that are protected from the wind. Avalanches can reach medium size. Isolated whumpfing sounds can indicate the danger. Meticulous route selection is recommended.

In addition the mostly small wind slabs are prone to triggering in some locations. They are sometimes covered with new snow and are therefore difficult to recognise. Caution is to be exercised adjacent to ridgelines and in pass areas on very steep north and east facing slopes at high altitudes and in high Alpine regions. At elevated altitudes the avalanche prone locations are more prevalent.

Snowpack

dp.1: deep persistent weak layer
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind

Avalanche prone weak layers exist in the old snowpack, especially on steep shady slopes above approximately 2000 m, as well as on steep sunny slopes in high Alpine regions. Released avalanches and field observations confirm the unfavourable bonding of the snowpack.
As a consequence of new snow and a moderate wind, mostly small wind slabs formed especially adjacent to ridgelines and in pass areas. These are lying on soft layers in particular on shady slopes.
Only a small amount of snow is lying for the time of year.

Tendency

Monday: Significant warming. Increase in danger of moist and wet snow slides.
Weak layers in the old snowpack necessitate caution.


Danger level

2000m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2000m
Wind slab
2000m


Wind slabs and weakly bonded old snow represent the main danger.

Weak layers in the old snowpack can be released in some places by individual winter sport participants. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular on steep west, north and east facing slopes above approximately 2000 m.
The wind slabs of the last few days can be released by a single winter sport participant in some cases in all aspects. Caution is to be exercised in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain, as well as adjacent to ridgelines at high altitudes and in high Alpine regions.
Individual medium-sized avalanches are possible.
On very steep sunny slopes individual moist loose snow avalanches are to be expected as the day progresses, but they will be mostly small.
Individual gliding avalanches are possible. This applies especially on steep grassy slopes.
Meticulous route selection is advisable.

Snowpack

dp.1: deep persistent weak layer
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind

Avalanche prone weak layers exist in the old snowpack, especially on steep shady slopes above approximately 2000 m, as well as on steep sunny slopes in high Alpine regions. As a consequence of new snow and a sometimes moderate wind from variable directions, further wind slabs formed especially adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls as well as at high altitude.
These are lying on soft layers in particular on shady slopes. The older wind slabs are lying on surface hoar in some places.
Only a small amount of snow is lying for the time of year.

Tendency

Monday: Significant warming. Increase in danger of moist and wet snow slides.
Wind slabs and weakly bonded old snow represent the main danger.


Danger level

treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline


More recent wind slabs are to be assessed with care and prudence.

As a consequence of new snow and a moderate wind from southerly directions, sometimes avalanche prone wind slabs formed in the last few days adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls as well as at high altitude. On wind-loaded slopes medium-sized avalanches are possible.
The avalanche prone locations are to be found in all aspects above approximately 1800 m. Caution is to be exercised in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain, as well as adjacent to ridgelines.
In addition from midday in particular on south and southwest facing slopes, still more individual small and medium-sized gliding avalanches are possible.

Snowpack

dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind

Over a wide area 20 to 30 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, has fallen since Thursday above approximately 1500 m. In the last two days sometimes avalanche prone wind slabs formed in some localities. Towards its base, the snowpack is faceted.

Tendency

The avalanche danger will persist.