For those venturing off piste a precarious avalanche situation will prevail. Backcountry touring and other off-piste activities call for great caution and restraint.
The danger exists primarily in alpine snow sports terrain. The snow sport conditions outside marked and open pistes are precarious. Even single freeriders can release avalanches in many places, in particular on very steep west, north and east facing slopes above approximately 2400 m, and on very steep south facing slopes in high Alpine regions. Avalanches can penetrate down to the ground and reach dangerously large size especially in the regions with a lot of snow. Caution is to be exercised in particular adjacent to ridgelines, as well as in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. The avalanche prone locations are difficult to recognise. Remotely triggered avalanches are possible. Great caution and restraint are required. East, south and west facing slopes below approximately 2800 m: As a consequence of warming during the day and solar radiation wet loose snow avalanches are possible. In addition a certain danger of gliding avalanches and snow slides exists. This applies on steep grassy slopes.
Snowpack
dp.1: deep persistent weak layer
30 to 50 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, has fallen above approximately 2400 m. New snow and wind slabs are lying on a weakly bonded old snowpack. Caution is to be exercised in particular on steep west, north and east facing slopes above approximately 2400 m, as well as on steep south facing slopes in high Alpine regions. The fresh wind slabs are lying on soft layers in particular on steep shady slopes above approximately 2400 m. The rain gave rise to thorough wetting of the snowpack over a wide area below approximately 2400 m.
Tendency
Outside marked and open pistes a precarious avalanche situation will persist in some regions.
Danger level
2400m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2400m
Wind slab
2400m
Wet snow
2800m
Restraint is advisable on this first sunny day. Wind slabs and weakly bonded old snow represent the main danger.
Outside marked and open pistes a precarious avalanche situation will be encountered in some regions. Even single winter sport participants can release avalanches easily, in particular on steep west, north and east facing slopes above approximately 2400 m, as well as on very steep sunny slopes at elevated altitudes. Avalanches can in isolated cases penetrate deep layers and reach large size. Caution is to be exercised in particular adjacent to ridgelines, as well as in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. The avalanche prone locations are difficult to recognise. Caution and restraint are required. As a consequence of warming during the day and solar radiation gliding avalanches and moist snow slides are possible below approximately 2800 m.
Snowpack
dp.1: deep persistent weak layer
5 to 20 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, has fallen above approximately 2400 m. In some cases new snow and wind slabs are lying on a weakly bonded old snowpack. The fresh wind slabs are lying on soft layers in particular on steep shady slopes above approximately 2400 m. The rain gave rise to thorough wetting of the snowpack over a wide area below approximately 2400 m.
Tendency
Weakly bonded old snow represents the main danger.
Danger level
2200m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2200m
Wind slab
2400m
Weak layers in the old snowpack represent the main danger.
In some places avalanches can be triggered in the weakly bonded old snow, in particular on very steep west, north and east facing slopes above approximately 2200 m, as well as on very steep sunny slopes at elevated altitudes. Avalanches can in isolated cases reach medium size. As a consequence of a strong to storm force wind from northwesterly directions, mostly small wind slabs formed. They are to be evaluated with care and prudence in steep terrain. Caution is to be exercised adjacent to ridgelines and in pass areas, as well as at elevated altitudes. As a consequence of warming during the day and solar radiation individual gliding avalanches and moist snow slides are possible, but they will be mostly small.
Snowpack
dp.1: deep persistent weak layer
Towards its base, the snowpack is faceted and weak, especially on steep west, north and east facing slopes above approximately 2200 m, as well as on steep sunny slopes at elevated altitudes. The fresh wind slabs are lying on weak layers in particular on shady slopes above approximately 2400 m. A little snow is lying.
Tendency
Weakly bonded old snow requires caution.
Danger level
2200m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2200m
Wet snow
2600m
2200m
Wind slab
2800m
Weak layers in the old snowpack represent the main danger.
Weak layers in the old snowpack can still be released by individual winter sport participants. This applies in particular on very steep west, north and east facing slopes above approximately 2200 m, as well as on very steep sunny slopes at elevated altitudes. Caution is to be exercised adjacent to ridgelines, as well as in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. Avalanches can in isolated cases reach medium size. Below approximately 2600 m moist small and medium sized avalanches are possible. As a consequence of a sometimes strong wind from northwesterly directions, rather small wind slabs will form in the course of the day. Caution is to be exercised in particular on very steep shady slopes above approximately 2800 m adjacent to ridgelines. Meticulous route selection is recommended.
Snowpack
dp.1: deep persistent weak layer
Towards its base, the snowpack is faceted and weak, especially on steep west, north and east facing slopes above approximately 2200 m. Released avalanches and field observations confirm the unfavourable bonding of the snowpack. The fresh wind slabs will be deposited on soft layers in particular on northwest, north and northeast facing slopes above approximately 2800 m. As a consequence of mild temperatures a crust formed on the surface during the last few days. This applies in particular on steep sunny slopes below approximately 2600 m.
Tendency
The old snowpack remains prone to triggering. As a consequence of warming during the day and solar radiation more small and medium-sized moist snow slides and avalanches are possible.
