Natural avalanches are to be expected. The snow sport conditions outside marked and open pistes are critical.
As a consequence of the heavy snowfall more frequent natural avalanches are to be expected. Avalanches can be triggered in the old snowpack and reach quite a large size. This applies on steep slopes above approximately 2000 m.
The snow sport conditions outside marked and open pistes are critical. Winter sport participants can release avalanches very easily, including large ones. Remotely triggered avalanches are possible. The avalanche prone locations are currently prevalent immediately adjacent to the pistes as well. Natural avalanches and whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack serve as an alarm indicating the danger. Extensive experience in the assessment of avalanche danger and great restraint are required.
In addition a certain danger of gliding avalanches exists. In the regions exposed to a lot of new snow this applies in particular on steep grassy slopes.
Snowpack
dp.4: cold following warm / warm following cold dp.2: gliding snow
Over a wide area 30 to 50 cm of snow will fall. In the central and eastern parts of the main Alpine ridge and in the Ortler Range up to 80 cm of snow will fall. The sometimes strong wind will transport the new snow. Large quantities of fresh snow and the wind-drifted snow are lying on top of a weakly bonded old snowpack. This applies above approximately 2000 m. Field observations confirm the existence of a weak snowack.
Tendency
Outside marked and open pistes a critical avalanche situation will be encountered over a wide area. Restraint is advisable on this first sunny day after a long period of poor weather.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
New snow
Treeline
Gliding snow
At elevated altitudes a sometimes precarious avalanche situation will prevail.
Very large quantity of fresh snow as well as the sometimes large wind slabs formed during the snowfall can be released easily, or, in isolated cases naturally in all aspects above the tree line. Avalanche prone locations are to be found in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. They are currently prevalent immediately adjacent to the pistes as well. The fresh wind slabs are covered with new snow in some cases and therefore difficult to recognise. Avalanches can be triggered in the new snow and wind slab layers and reach quite a large size. In addition some small to medium-sized loose snow avalanches are to be expected.
Backcountry touring and other off-piste activities call for extensive experience in the assessment of avalanche danger and restraint.
In addition a certain danger of gliding avalanches exists. This applies in particular on steep grassy slopes.
Snowpack
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
High altitudes and the high Alpine regions: Over a wide area 30 to 50 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, will fall until the early morning. As a consequence of a sometimes strong wind from variable directions, brittle wind slabs will form in the course of the day in all aspects. The old snowpack is largely stable and its surface has a crust, in particular on steep sunny slopes. Snow depths vary greatly above the tree line, depending on the infuence of the wind.
Intermediate altitudes: The old snowpack is wet and its surface has a melt-freeze crust that is barely capable of bearing a load.
Tendency
A critical avalanche situation will prevail. Restraint is advisable on this first sunny day.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
New snow
Treeline
Fresh wind slabs require caution. Above approximately 2000 m the avalanche prone locations are prevalent and the danger is level 3 (considerable).
Over a wide area over a wide area 20 to 40 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, has fallen above approximately 2200 m. The strong wind has transported some snow. The new snow and wind slabs are lying on the unfavourable surface of an old snowpack in all aspects above approximately 2000 m. Even single backcountry tourers can release avalanches in many places, including medium-sized ones. Small and medium-sized natural avalanches are possible on very steep slopes. The strong wind will transport the new snow and, in some cases, old snow as well. The fresh snow and the sometimes large wind slabs that are forming over a wide area can be released easily, or, in isolated cases naturally. The number and size of avalanche prone locations will increase with altitude. Avalanche prone locations are to be found above the tree line and in areas close to the tree line. Caution is to be exercised in particular adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls. Mostly avalanches are medium-sized. Avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular in places that are protected from the wind above approximately 2200 m. Experience in the assessment of avalanche danger is required. On steep grassy slopes more small and, in isolated cases, medium-sized gliding avalanches are possible. This applies in particular in the regions with a lot of snow.
Snowpack
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind dp.4: cold following warm / warm following cold
Over a wide area 20 to 40 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, has fallen above approximately 2000 m. The sometimes strong wind has transported a lot of snow. The new snow and wind slabs of the last few days are lying on the unfavourable surface of an old snowpack in all aspects above the tree line, in particular in places that are protected from the wind. These weather conditions fostered a weakening of the snowpack in particular on very steep slopes. The snowpack will be subject to considerable local variations. Snow depths vary greatly above the tree line, depending on the infuence of the wind. Whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack confirm the unfavourable bonding of the snowpack.
Tendency
Over a wide area 10 to 20 cm of snow will fall on Saturday. As a consequence of new snow and strong wind there will be an increase in the avalanche danger within the current danger level. Wind slabs and weakly bonded old snow require caution.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
New snow
Treeline
At elevated altitudes a sometimes precarious avalanche situation will prevail.
The fresh snow as well as the sometimes large wind slabs formed during the snowfall can be released easily, or, in isolated cases naturally in all aspects above the tree line. Avalanche prone locations are to be found in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. They are currently prevalent immediately adjacent to the pistes as well. The fresh wind slabs are covered with new snow in some cases and therefore difficult to recognise. In all aspects avalanches can be triggered in the new snow and wind slab layers and reach medium size in isolated cases. In addition some small to medium-sized loose snow avalanches are to be expected. Backcountry touring and other off-piste activities call for extensive experience in the assessment of avalanche danger and restraint.
Snowpack
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
High altitudes and the high Alpine regions: Over a wide area 10 to 30 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, will fall until the early morning. As a consequence of a sometimes strong wind from variable directions, brittle wind slabs will form in all aspects. Snow depths vary greatly above the tree line, depending on the infuence of the wind. Intermediate altitudes: The old snowpack is wet.
Tendency
Restraint is advisable on this first sunny day. Wind slabs and weakly bonded old snow require caution.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
New snow
Treeline
At elevated altitudes a sometimes precarious avalanche situation will prevail.
Very large quantity of fresh snow as well as the sometimes large wind slabs formed during the snowfall can be released easily, or, in isolated cases naturally in all aspects above the tree line. Avalanche prone locations are to be found in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. They are currently prevalent immediately adjacent to the pistes as well. The fresh wind slabs are covered with new snow in some cases and therefore difficult to recognise. Avalanches can be triggered in the new snow and wind slab layers and reach quite a large size. In addition some small to medium-sized loose snow avalanches are to be expected. A certain danger of gliding avalanches exists, in particular on steep grassy slopes.
Backcountry touring and other off-piste activities call for extensive experience in the assessment of avalanche danger and restraint.
Snowpack
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
High altitudes and the high Alpine regions: Over a wide area 30 to 50 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, will fall until the early morning. As a consequence of a sometimes strong wind from variable directions, brittle wind slabs will form in all aspects. The old snowpack is largely stable and its surface has a crust, in particular on steep sunny slopes. Snow depths vary greatly above the tree line, depending on the infuence of the wind.
Intermediate altitudes: The old snowpack is wet.
Tendency
A critical avalanche situation will prevail. Restraint is advisable on this first sunny day.
Danger level
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
In all aspects in all altitude zones a little snow is lying. Below approximately 1800 m from a snow sport perspective, insufficient snow is lying. Fresh wind slabs are to be evaluated with care and prudence.
The avalanche prone locations are to be found in steep terrain at elevated altitudes and on wind-loaded slopes above approximately 2000 m. Avalanches can in some places be released by small loads, but they will be small in most cases.
Snowpack
Below approximately 1800 m a little snow is lying. Over a wide area new snow and wind slabs are lying on a hard crust. At higher altitudes there are 10 to 20 cm of snow, and even more in some localities.
