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.
