The new snow and wind slabs represent the main danger.
The fresh snow and the wind slabs that are being formed by the storm force wind can be released easily, even by a single winter sport participant,. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in steep terrain above the tree line. At elevated altitudes the likelihood of avalanches being released is greater. Avalanches can reach quite a large size, in the regions exposed to a lot of new snow especially. Individual natural avalanches are not ruled out, in particular on wind-loaded slopes at elevated altitudes. On extremely steep slopes more loose snow avalanches are to be expected, in the event of prolonged bright spells in particular. In addition in particular in the regions exposed to heavier precipitation, individual gliding avalanches are possible. Experience and restraint are required.
Snowpack
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind dp.2: gliding snow
The snowpack will be in some cases prone to triggering. Over a wide area 20 to 50 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, has fallen since Wednesday. Some snow will fall on Friday in the southeast. As a consequence of the sometimes storm force wind the wind slabs will increase in size once again on Friday. The various wind slabs have bonded poorly together. In some places new snow and wind slabs are lying on soft layers, in particular at elevated altitudes. Isolated avalanche prone weak layers exist in the old snowpack on very steep shady slopes, especially at elevated altitudes.
Tendency
Saturday: The new snow and wind slabs remain prone to triggering. Restraint is advisable on this first sunny day.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
New snow
1600m
Considerable avalanche danger will be encountered over a wide area. The new snow and wind slabs can be released easily.
The fresh snow and the wind slabs that are being formed by the wind can be released easily, even by a single winter sport participant,. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in all aspects above the tree line, caution is to be exercised in particular in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. The avalanche prone locations are sometimes covered with new snow and are difficult to recognise. Their prevalence will increase with altitude. Avalanches can in many cases reach medium size. Individual natural avalanches are not ruled out. On extremely steep slopes more loose snow avalanches are to be expected. Gliding avalanches can also occur, especially on steep grassy slopes in the regions exposed to heavier precipitation. Experience and restraint are required.
Snowpack
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind dp.2: gliding snow
Over a wide area 20 to 40 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, has fallen since Wednesday. The snowpack will be prone to triggering over a wide area. Over a wide area 20 to 30 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, will fall on Friday. As a consequence of the sometimes strong wind the wind slabs will increase in size once again on Friday. New snow and wind slabs are lying mostly on soft layers, in particular at elevated altitudes. In some cases the various wind slabs have bonded poorly together.
Tendency
Saturday: The new snow and wind slabs remain prone to triggering. Experience and restraint are required.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
New snow
1800m
Persistent weak layer
2600m
The new snow and wind slabs represent the main danger. Weakly bonded old snow at elevated altitudes.
The fresh snow and the wind slabs that are being formed by the strong wind can be released easily, even by a single winter sport participant,. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in steep terrain above the tree line. Caution is to be exercised in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. The avalanche prone locations are sometimes covered with new snow and are difficult to recognise. At elevated altitudes the likelihood of avalanches being released is greater. Natural avalanches are possible. Additionally avalanches can also release deeper layers of the snowpack and reach large size in isolated cases, especially on very steep west, north and east facing slopes above approximately 2600 m. On extremely steep slopes more loose snow avalanches are to be expected, even medium-sized ones. In addition in particular in the regions exposed to heavier precipitation, gliding avalanches are possible, especially on steep grassy slopes at intermediate and high altitudes. Caution and restraint are required.
Snowpack
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind dp.4: cold following warm / warm following cold
The snowpack will be in some cases prone to triggering. Over a wide area 20 to 40 cm of snow has fallen since Wednesday. In some regions 10 to 20 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, will fall on Friday. As a consequence of the sometimes storm force wind the wind slabs will increase in size once again on Friday. The various wind slabs have bonded poorly together. In some places new snow and wind slabs are lying on soft layers, in particular at elevated altitudes. Faceted weak layers exist in the old snowpack on very steep west, north and east facing slopes, especially above approximately 2600 m on the Main Alpine Ridge.
Tendency
Saturday: The new snow and wind slabs remain prone to triggering. Experience and restraint are required.
