Avalanche.report

Thursday 19.01.2023

Published 18 01 2023, 17:00


Danger level

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


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

The new snow and wind slabs of the last few days can be released by a single winter sport participant. Mostly avalanches are medium-sized. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in all aspects above the tree line. They are sometimes covered with new snow and are therefore barely recognisable.
Additionally avalanches can also be released in the old snowpack. Such avalanche prone locations are to be found on steep, little used shady slopes above approximately 2200 m and on steep sunny slopes above approximately 2500 m. Whumpfing sounds indicate the danger.
Backcountry touring and other off-piste activities call for experience in the assessment of avalanche danger.

Snowpack

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

In some regions up to 30 cm of snow has fallen since Sunday. In the northwest less snow fell. The new snow and wind slabs of the last few days are poorly bonded with the old snowpack in some places.
As a consequence of a sometimes moderate wind from northerly directions, mostly small wind slabs will form on Thursday.
Faceted weak layers exist in the old snowpack, especially on shady slopes above approximately 2200 m, as well as on sunny slopes above approximately 2500 m.

Tendency

As a consequence of low temperatures and the moderate to strong northerly wind, fresh snow drift accumulations will form on Friday. Wherever the wind is stronger the avalanche danger is greater. In the other regions the danger of dry avalanches will decrease a little.


Danger level

treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline


Fresh wind slabs require caution.

The new snow and wind slabs of the last few days can be released by a single winter sport participant. Mostly the avalanches are only small. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular in steep terrain and in gullies and bowls.
Avalanches can additionally be released in the old snowpack in isolated cases. These avalanche prone locations are rare but are difficult to recognise.
Meticulous route selection is recommended.

Snowpack

dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind

In some regions up to 15 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, has fallen since Sunday. In the south less snow fell. The new snow and wind slabs of the last few days are poorly bonded with the old snowpack in some places.
As a consequence of a moderate wind, mostly small wind slabs will form on Thursday.
Isolated avalanche prone weak layers exist in the old snowpack, especially on steep, little used shady slopes.

Tendency

On Friday it will be sunny at times. The wind will be light to moderate. The avalanche danger will persist.


Danger level

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


The wind slabs of the last few days represent the main danger. Weakly bonded old snow above approximately 2200 m.

The wind slabs of the last few days can be released even by a single winter sport participant. Avalanches can reach medium size. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular on west to north to southeast facing aspects above approximately 2200 m. These places are sometimes covered with new snow and are therefore difficult to recognise.
Additionally avalanches can also be released in the old snowpack. These avalanche prone locations are to be found on steep, little used shady slopes above approximately 2200 m and on steep sunny slopes above approximately 2500 m.
In steep rocky terrain mostly small dry loose snow avalanches are possible.
The number and size of avalanche prone locations will increase with altitude. Meticulous route selection is advisable.

Snowpack

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

Over a wide area 10 to 20 cm of snow has fallen since Sunday. In the south more snow fell. The new snow and wind slabs of the last few days are poorly bonded with the old snowpack in some places.
Faceted weak layers exist in the old snowpack, especially on shady slopes above approximately 2200 m, as well as on sunny slopes above approximately 2500 m.
Field observations show that the stability of the snowpack varies greatly within a small area.

Tendency

As a consequence of low temperatures and the moderate to strong northerly wind, fresh snow drift accumulations will form on Friday. Wherever the wind is stronger the avalanche danger is greater. In the other regions the danger of dry avalanches will decrease a little.