Above the tree line a high avalanche danger will prevail. Natural avalanches are to be expected.
From starting zones at higher altitudes and on wind-loaded slopes more frequent medium-sized and large natural avalanches are to be expected as the snowfall becomes more intense. The danger exists in particular in alpine snow sports terrain. The new snow and wind slabs can be released very easily in all aspects, this applies even in case of a single winter sport participant. The avalanche prone locations are widespread and are barely recognisable, even to the trained eye. Caution is to be exercised also in areas close to the tree line, as well as below the tree line. Additionally avalanches can also penetrate deep layers. Such avalanche prone locations are to be found in steep terrain above the tree line. Remotely triggered avalanches are possible. In addition in the regions exposed to heavier precipitation, an increasing number of medium-sized gliding avalanches are possible. This applies in particular on steep grassy slopes below approximately 2000 m.
Snowpack
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind dp.1: deep persistent weak layer
The snowpack will be unstable over a wide area. Over a wide area 30 to 50 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, has fallen since Thursday. The strong wind has transported the new snow significantly. The large quantity of fresh snow and the sometimes large wind slabs formed during the snowfall are lying on soft layers in all aspects. Faceted weak layers exist in the snowpack, especially on steep slopes above the tree line. In shady places that are protected from the wind the snowpack is weaker. Whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack indicate the existence of a weak snowack. Over a wide area 30 to 40 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, will fall on Saturday. As a consequence of the stormy weather the wind slabs will increase in size additionally on Saturday.
Tendency
The off-piste conditions remain precarious. The current avalanche situation calls for great restraint.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
New snow
Treeline
Persistent weak layer
Treeline
Wind slab
Treeline
Above the tree line a high avalanche danger will prevail. Natural avalanches are possible, in particular medium-sized ones.
From starting zones at higher altitudes and on wind-loaded slopes more frequent medium-sized and, in isolated cases, large natural avalanches are possible as the snowfall becomes more intense. The danger exists in particular in alpine snow sports terrain. The new snow and wind slabs can be released very easily in all aspects, this applies even in case of a single winter sport participant. The avalanche prone locations are widespread and are barely recognisable, even to the trained eye. Caution is to be exercised also in areas close to the tree line. Additionally avalanches can also penetrate deep layers. Such avalanche prone locations are to be found in steep terrain above the tree line. Remotely triggered avalanches are possible. In addition individual gliding avalanches and snow slides are possible. This applies in particular on steep grassy slopes below approximately 2000 m.
Snowpack
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind dp.1: deep persistent weak layer
The snowpack will be unstable over a wide area. 10 to 20 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, has fallen since Thursday. The strong wind has transported the new snow significantly. The fresh snow and the wind slabs formed during the snowfall are lying on soft layers in all aspects. Faceted weak layers exist in the snowpack, especially on steep slopes above the tree line. In shady places that are protected from the wind the snowpack is weaker. Whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack indicate the existence of a weak snowack. Over a wide area 30 to 40 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, will fall on Saturday. As a consequence of the stormy weather the wind slabs will increase in size additionally on Saturday.
Tendency
The off-piste conditions remain precarious. The current avalanche situation calls for extensive experience in the assessment of avalanche danger and restraint.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
New snow
Treeline
Persistent weak layer
Treeline
Wind slab
Treeline
The off-piste conditions are precarious.
New snow and wind slabs can in many places be released, even by a single winter sport participant. These avalanche prone locations are to be found on steep slopes of all aspects and in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. They are barely recognisable because of the poor visibility. Caution is to be exercised also in areas close to the tree line as well as below the tree line. Remotely triggered avalanches are possible in isolated cases. In the regions exposed to heavier precipitation the wind slabs are larger. Isolated large avalanches are possible here. Additionally avalanches can also penetrate deep layers, in particular in shady places that are protected from the wind, as well as on steep sunny slopes at elevated altitudes. In addition individual gliding avalanches are possible.
Snowpack
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind dp.1: deep persistent weak layer
A lot of snow has fallen since Thursday over a wide area, in particular in the north. The strong wind has transported the new snow significantly. The new snow and wind slabs are lying on top of a weakly bonded old snowpack. In some regions up to 30 cm of snow will fall on Saturday. In the south less snow will fall. As a consequence of the stormy weather the wind slabs will increase in size additionally on Saturday. The snowpack will become increasingly unstable. Also slopes close to the tree line are unfavourable. Faceted weak layers exist in the snowpack, especially on steep slopes above the tree line. In shady places that are protected from the wind the snowpack is weaker. Whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack indicate the existence of a weak snowack.
Tendency
Sunday: Restraint is advisable on this first sunny day. The off-piste conditions remain precarious. The new snow and wind slabs remain prone to triggering.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Persistent weak layer
2200m
Temporary increase in avalanche danger as a consequence of the storm force northerly wind. Wind slabs and weakly bonded old snow represent the main danger.
The fresh wind slabs can be released by a single winter sport participant in all aspects above the tree line. Individual avalanche prone locations are to be found also in areas close to the tree line. Caution is to be exercised in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. Mostly avalanches are medium-sized. 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.
Snowpack
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind dp.1: deep persistent weak layer
0 to 5 cm of snow will fall until the early morning. In the south less snow will fall. As a consequence of the stormy weather the wind slabs will increase in size additionally on Saturday. The new snow and wind slabs are lying on top of a weakly bonded old snowpack, in particular in shady places that are protected from the wind. Faceted weak layers exist in the snowpack, especially on shady slopes above approximately 2200 m, as well as on sunny slopes above approximately 2500 m. Isolated whumpfing sounds indicate the existence of a weak snowack.
Tendency
Wind slabs remain prone to triggering. They are to be evaluated with care and prudence in particular in very steep terrain.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Fresh wind slabs require caution.
The fresh wind slabs can be released by a single winter sport participant in all aspects above the tree line. They are to be avoided in very steep terrain. Caution is to be exercised adjacent to ridgelines, as well as in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. Mostly avalanches are small.
Snowpack
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
On Saturday the wind will be storm force over a wide area. The wind slabs will be deposited on weak layers in particular on very steep shady slopes. In shady places that are protected from the wind the snowpack is weaker. Hardly any weak layers exist in the old snowpack.
Tendency
Fresh wind slabs are to be evaluated with care and prudence in particular in very steep terrain.
