Avalanche.report

Tuesday 24.01.2023

Published 23 01 2023, 17:00


Danger level

treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Persistent weak layer
2200m


The current avalanche situation calls for caution and restraint. Fresh wind slabs require caution.

As a consequence of new snow and a sometimes strong wind from easterly directions, sometimes large wind slabs formed in all aspects. The fresh and somewhat older wind slabs can be released easily, even by a single winter sport participant,, especially in areas close to the tree line, and above the tree line. 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 in isolated cases.
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, and even more in some localities, fell on Monday. In some localities up to 10 cm of snow will fall on Tuesday. The wind will be moderate. 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 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.


Danger level

treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Persistent weak layer
2200m


The current avalanche situation calls for caution and restraint. Fresh wind slabs require caution.

As a consequence of new snow and a sometimes strong wind from easterly directions, sometimes large wind slabs formed in all aspects. The fresh and somewhat older wind slabs can be released easily, even by a single winter sport participant,, especially in areas close to the tree line, and above the tree line. 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 in isolated cases.
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, and even more in some localities, fell on Monday. In some localities up to 50 cm of snow will fall above approximately 1000 m. The wind will be moderate. 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 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.


Danger level

treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline


Moderate avalanche danger will be encountered in some regions.

As a consequence of new snow and wind, avalanche prone wind slabs formed in some places. Avalanche prone locations for dry avalanches are to be found on very steep slopes, in particular in areas close to the tree line, and above the tree line. Caution is to be exercised adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls. 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 even more in some localities, has fallen. As a consequence of new snow and a moderate to strong wind from northeasterly directions, mostly small wind slabs formed. In some places wind slabs are lying on soft layers. From a snow sport perspective, in most cases insufficient snow is lying.

Tendency

Fresh wind slabs require caution.