Avalanche.report

Monday 16.01.2023

Published 15 01 2023, 17:00


Danger level

2200m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2200m
Wind slab
2200m


Weakly bonded old snow above approximately 2200 m. Fresh wind slabs require caution.

Single winter sport participants can release avalanches in some places. These can penetrate even deep layers and reach large size in isolated cases. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in all aspects. Caution is to be exercised in particular on very steep shady slopes above approximately 2200 m, as well as on sunny slopes at elevated altitudes. The avalanche prone locations are difficult to recognise. Whumpfing sounds indicate the danger. Caution is to be exercised at transitions from a shallow to a deep snowpack.
As a consequence of new snow and strong wind the wind slabs will increase in size once again. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls and on steep shady slopes. Their prevalence will increase with altitude.
Careful route selection is recommended.

Snowpack

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

Over a wide area 5 to 10 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, has fallen. The strong wind will transport the new snow and, in some cases, old snow as well. The fresh and older wind slabs are lying on the unfavourable surface of an old snowpack. Faceted weak layers exist in the old snowpack. This applies in all aspects above approximately 2200 m.
The snowpack will be subject to considerable local variations.

Tendency

Wind slabs and weakly bonded old snow represent the main danger. Some snow will fall on Tuesday in some regions. The wind will be moderate to strong in some regions. The avalanche danger will persist.


Danger level

2200m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2200m
Wind slab
2200m


Weakly bonded old snow above approximately 2200 m. Fresh wind slabs require caution.

Single winter sport participants can release avalanches. These can penetrate even deep layers and reach large size in isolated cases. This applies in particular adjacent to ridgelines in high Alpine regions. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in all aspects above approximately 2200 m. They are difficult to recognise. Whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack can indicate the danger. Remotely triggered avalanches are possible in isolated cases. Caution is to be exercised at transitions from a shallow to a deep snowpack.
As a consequence of new snow and strong wind the wind slabs will increase in size once again. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls and on steep shady slopes. The prevalence of these avalanche prone locations will increase with altitude.
Caution and restraint are advisable.

Snowpack

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

Over a wide area 5 to 15 cm of snow fell on Sunday. The strong wind will transport the new snow and, in some cases, old snow as well.
The snowpack will be in most cases subject to considerable local variations.
Faceted weak layers exist in the top section of the old snowpack. This applies especially between approximately 2000 and 2400 m, as well as on sunny slopes at elevated altitudes. Faceted weak layers exist deep in the old snowpack especially at elevated altitudes.
In some cases the various wind slabs have bonded poorly with each other and the old snowpack. They are lying on soft layers in particular on shady slopes at elevated altitudes.

Tendency

Wind slabs and weakly bonded old snow require caution. The avalanche danger will persist.


Danger level

2200m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2200m
Wind slab
2200m


Weakly bonded old snow above approximately 2200 m. Fresh wind slabs require caution.

Even single winter sport participants can release avalanches. These can penetrate even deep layers and reach medium size.
The avalanche prone locations are to be found in all aspects. Caution is to be exercised in particular on very steep shady slopes above approximately 2200 m, as well as on very steep sunny slopes at elevated altitudes. The avalanche prone locations are difficult to recognise. Whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack can indicate the danger. Caution is to be exercised at transitions from a shallow to a deep snowpack.
As a consequence of new snow and strong wind the wind slabs will increase in size once again. Their prevalence will increase with altitude. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls and on steep shady slopes.
Meticulous route selection is advisable.

Snowpack

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

Over a wide area 5 to 10 cm of snow has fallen. The strong wind will transport the new snow and, in some cases, old snow as well. The fresh and older wind slabs are lying on the unfavourable surface of an old snowpack. Faceted weak layers exist in the old snowpack. This applies in all aspects above approximately 2200 m.
The snowpack will be subject to considerable local variations.

Tendency

Some snow will fall on Tuesday over a wide area, in particular in the southeast. The wind will be moderate to strong in some regions. The avalanche danger will increase, in particular in the regions exposed to heavier precipitation.


Danger level

2200m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
2200m


Fresh wind slabs require caution.

As a consequence of new snow and a strong wind, further wind slabs will form. These are mostly small but in some cases prone to triggering.
Avalanche prone locations are to be found especially adjacent to ridgelines and on steep shady slopes above approximately 2200 m.

Snowpack

dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind

Some snow has fallen since Sunday over a wide area. As a consequence of a strong wind from southwesterly directions, sometimes avalanche prone wind slabs will form. Fresh wind slabs are lying on soft layers in particular on shady slopes above approximately 2200 m.
Only a small amount of snow is lying for the time of year.

Tendency

Fresh wind slabs require caution. The avalanche danger will persist.


Danger level

treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Persistent weak layer
2000m


At elevated altitudes a sometimes treacherous avalanche situation will prevail.

The fresh snow and in particular the wind slabs are bonding only slowly with the old snowpack. These can be released, even by small loads in isolated cases and reach medium size. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular in steep terrain at high altitudes and in high Alpine regions. Weak layers in the old snowpack can be released especially by large additional loads on very steep shady slopes. Caution is to be exercised at transitions from a shallow to a deep snowpack. At high altitude and in the regions exposed to precipitation the likelihood of avalanches is higher.

Snowpack

dp.1: deep persistent weak layer

The snowpack will be favourable over a wide area. The more recent wind slabs are lying on the unfavourable surface of an old snowpack on very steep shady slopes at high altitude. Faceted weak layers exist in the bottom section of the snowpack at elevated altitudes.

Tendency

The avalanche danger will increase but remain within the current danger level.


Danger level

treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Persistent weak layer
Treeline


The backcountry touring conditions are generally favourable.

The fresh snow and in particular the wind slabs represent the main danger. They are to be found in particular in steep terrain at high altitudes and in high Alpine regions. Weak layers in the old snowpack can be released especially by large additional loads on very steep shady slopes. Caution is to be exercised at transitions from a shallow to a deep snowpack. At high altitude and in the regions exposed to precipitation the likelihood of avalanches is higher. As a consequence of solar radiation small natural avalanches are possible. This applies in particular on steep south, southeast facing slopes, as well as on steep sunny slopes.

Snowpack

The snowpack will be favourable over a wide area. The more recent wind slabs are lying on the unfavourable surface of an old snowpack on very steep shady slopes at high altitude. Faceted weak layers exist in the bottom section of the snowpack at elevated altitudes.

Tendency

The avalanche danger will increase but remain within the current danger level.


Danger level

2000m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
2000m


Low avalanche danger will prevail.

As a consequence of new snow and a strengthening wind from southerly directions, small wind slabs will form on Monday in some places. The fresh wind slabs can be released in isolated cases on very steep shady slopes above approximately 2000 m. Caution is to be exercised at their margins in particular. Restraint should be exercised because avalanches can sweep people along and give rise to falls.

Snowpack

Up to 5 cm of snow has fallen. The wind will be light to moderate.
The snowpack will be generally stable. The somewhat older wind slabs have bonded quite well with the old snowpack. They are mostly rather small and unlikely to be released now. No distinct weak layers exist in the bottom section of the snowpack.

Tendency

Some snow will fall on Tuesday over a wide area, in particular in the southeast. The wind will be moderate to strong in some regions. Slight increase in danger.