New snow and wind slabs represent the main danger. Considerable avalanche danger will prevail.
As a consequence of new snow and a strong wind from easterly directions, avalanche prone wind slabs will form over a wide area. The fresh and older wind slabs can be released easily, even 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. At elevated altitudes and in the regions exposed to the foehn wind the avalanche prone locations are more prevalent and the danger is greater. Some natural avalanches are possible. Remotely triggered avalanches are possible in isolated cases. Avalanches can also be released in deep layers. 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. Backcountry touring and other off-piste activities call for caution and restraint.
Snowpack
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind dp.1: deep persistent weak layer
25 to 50 cm of snow will fall above approximately 700 m. As a consequence of a strong wind from easterly directions, further wind slabs will form. The new snow and wind slabs are bonding poorly with the old snowpack. The snowpack will become increasingly prone to triggering. 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
The snowpack remains unstable over a wide area. The avalanche danger will persist.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Persistent weak layer
2200m
Further increase in danger of dry avalanches as a consequence of new snow and wind. The current avalanche situation calls for caution and restraint.
As a consequence of new snow and a sometimes strong wind from easterly directions, further wind slabs will form in the course of the day in all aspects. The fresh and somewhat older wind slabs can be released easily, even by a single winter sport participant, above the tree line. As the precipitation becomes more intense the avalanche prone locations will become more prevalent in the afternoon. These avalanche prone locations are sometimes covered with new snow and are barely recognisable because of the poor visibility. Mostly avalanches are medium-sized. Remotely triggered and natural avalanches are possible, this applies especially from the middle of the day. Additionally avalanches can also be released in deep layers. 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. Especially transitions from a shallow to a deep snowpack are unfavourable. Backcountry touring and other off-piste activities call for defensive route selection.
Snowpack
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind dp.1: deep persistent weak layer
Over a wide area 10 to 20 cm of snow will fall. In the south up to 30 cm of snow will fall. The wind will be moderate to strong. The fresh snow and the wind slabs are lying on top of a weakly bonded old snowpack. 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. The snowpack remains quite prone to triggering. Whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack are a clear indication.
Tendency
Considerable avalanche danger will persist. The snowpack remains generally prone to triggering. The cold fresh snow and in particular the sometimes large wind slabs formed by the moderate to strong wind are poorly bonded with the old snowpack. Backcountry touring calls for caution and restraint.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Slight increase in danger of dry avalanches as a consequence of new snow and wind.
As a consequence of new snow and wind, avalanche prone wind slabs will form in the course of the day in some places. Avalanche prone locations for dry avalanches are to be found on very steep slopes above the tree line, especially adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls. As a consequence of the snowfall the avalanche prone locations will become more prevalent in the afternoon. The mostly small wind slabs are to be bypassed in particular in terrain where there is a danger of falling. They are barely recognisable because of the poor visibility.
Snowpack
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
5 to 10 cm of snow, and up to 15 cm in some localities, will fall. As a consequence of new snow and a moderate to strong wind from northeasterly directions, mostly small wind slabs will form in the course of the day. In some places wind slabs are lying on soft layers. From a snow sport perspective, in most cases insufficient snow is lying.
