The snow sport conditions outside marked and open pistes are critical.
Restraint is advisable on this first sunny day after a long period of poor weather.
Winter sport participants can release avalanches very easily, including large ones. This applies in particular on steep slopes above the tree line as well as in areas close to the tree line. Avalanches can be triggered in the old snowpack. Also on very steep slopes avalanches can be released in the various layers of new snow. 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.
In addition a considerable (level 3) danger of gliding avalanches exists. This applies on steep grassy slopes below approximately 2400 m. As a consequence of solar radiation more frequent dry loose snow avalanches are to be expected, even medium-sized ones. This applies on extremely steep slopes.
Extensive experience in the assessment of avalanche danger and great restraint are required.
Snowpack
dp.4: cold following warm / warm following cold dp.2: gliding snow
Over a wide area 30 to 50 cm of snow, and up to 80 cm in some localities, has fallen. 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. The large quantity of fresh snow and the wind slabs are lying on soft layers. 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. The meteorological conditions will prevent a rapid change towards better conditions.
Danger level
2200m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2200m
New snow
2200m
Gliding snow
2400m
The snow sport conditions outside marked and open pistes are critical.
Restraint is advisable on this first sunny day after a long period of poor weather.
Winter sport participants can release avalanches very easily, including large ones. This applies in particular on steep slopes above approximately 2200 m. Avalanches can be triggered in the old snowpack. Also on very steep slopes avalanches can be released in the various layers of new snow. 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.
In addition a certain danger of gliding avalanches exists. This applies on steep grassy slopes below approximately 2400 m in the regions with a lot of snow. As a consequence of solar radiation more frequent dry loose snow avalanches are to be expected, even medium-sized ones. This applies on extremely steep slopes.
Extensive experience in the assessment of avalanche danger and great restraint are required.
Snowpack
dp.4: cold following warm / warm following cold dp.2: gliding snow
Up to high altitudes rain has fallen. Over a wide area 30 to 50 cm of snow, and up to 80 cm in some localities, has fallen above approximately 2200 m.
Large quantities of fresh snow and the wind-drifted snow are lying on top of a weakly bonded old snowpack. This applies above approximately 2200 m. The large quantity of fresh snow and the wind slabs are lying on soft layers.
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. The meteorological conditions will prevent a rapid change towards better conditions.
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.
In addition a considerable (level 3) danger of gliding avalanches exists. This applies on steep grassy slopes. As a consequence of solar radiation more frequent dry loose snow avalanches are to be expected, even medium-sized ones. This applies on extremely steep 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
Over a wide area 30 to 50 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, has fallen.
High altitudes and the high Alpine regions: The old snowpack is largely stable and its surface has a crust, in particular on steep sunny slopes. The fresh snow and the wind slabs are lying on soft layers.
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
2200m
Avalanche Problem
New snow
2200m
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 in all aspects above approximately 2200 m. Avalanche prone locations are to be found in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. The prevalence of the avalanche prone locations will increase with altitude. 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. This applies on extremely steep sunny 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 dp.3: rain
Up to high altitudes rain has fallen. 30 to 50 cm of snow, and up to 80 cm in some localities, has fallen above approximately 2200 m.
High altitudes and the high Alpine regions: The old snowpack is largely stable and its surface has a crust, in particular on steep sunny slopes.
Intermediate altitudes: The old snowpack is wet.
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
At elevated altitudes a sometimes precarious avalanche situation will be encountered in some regions.
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. These avalanche prone locations are to be found above the tree line and in gullies and bowls. Caution is to be exercised in particular adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls. Even single backcountry tourers can release avalanches in some places, including medium-sized ones. Small and medium-sized natural avalanches are possible on very steep slopes, in particular in the regions with a lot of snow. Mostly avalanches are medium-sized. 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.
Snowpack
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
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
Fresh wind slabs represent the main danger.
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). At high altitude a treacherous avalanche situation will be encountered in some regions.
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. These avalanche prone locations are to be found above the tree line and in gullies and bowls. Caution is to be exercised in particular adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls. Even single backcountry tourers can release avalanches in some places, including medium-sized ones. Small and medium-sized natural avalanches are possible on very steep slopes, in particular in the regions with a lot of snow. Mostly avalanches are medium-sized. 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.
Snowpack
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
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
New snow and wind slabs require caution.
Danger level
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
In all aspects in all altitude zones from a snow sport perspective, in most cases insufficient snow is lying. Wind slabs are to be evaluated with care and prudence.
Individual avalanche prone locations are to be found in steep terrain in high Alpine regions and in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain above approximately 2000 m. Avalanches can in some places be released by small loads, but they will be small in most cases.
Snowpack
In all regions in all altitude zones a little snow is lying. In some places there are 5 to 10 cm of snow.
