Snow sport activities outside marked and open pistes call for experience in the assessment of avalanche danger and a certain restraint.
Weak layers in the old snowpack can be released easily. This applies on steep slopes above approximately 2000 m. Caution is to be exercised in particular at transitions from a shallow to a deep snowpack, when entering gullies and bowls for example. In some cases the avalanches are large. Whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack serve as an alarm indicating the danger.
In addition the fresh wind slabs at high altitudes and in high Alpine regions are easily triggered. Caution is to be exercised in particular adjacent to ridgelines, as well as in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain.
A considerable (level 3) danger of gliding avalanches exists. This applies on steep grassy slopes below approximately 2400 m. Areas with glide cracks are to be avoided.
Experience and restraint are required.
Snowpack
dp.4: cold following warm / warm following cold dp.2: gliding 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. 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
The meteorological conditions will prevent a rapid change towards better conditions.
Danger level
2200m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2200m
Wind slab
2200m
Gliding snow
2400m
The snow sport conditions outside marked and open pistes are to some extent treacherous.
Weak layers in the old snowpack can be released easily. This applies in particular on steep slopes above approximately 2200 m. Caution is to be exercised in particular at transitions from a shallow to a deep snowpack, when entering gullies and bowls for example. In some cases the avalanches are large. Whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack serve as an alarm indicating the danger.
In addition the fresh wind slabs in particular at high altitudes and in high Alpine regions are easily triggered. Caution is to be exercised in particular adjacent to ridgelines, as well as in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. The prevalence of the avalanche prone locations will increase with altitude.
A latent danger of gliding avalanches exists. This applies on steep grassy slopes below approximately 2400 m, in the regions exposed to a lot of new snow in particular. Areas with glide cracks are to be avoided.
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
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 new snow is lying on a crust below approximately 2600 m. The fresh wind slabs are lying on soft layers. Field observations confirm the existence of a weak snowack.
Intermediate altitudes: The old snowpack is wet.
Tendency
The avalanche danger will persist.
Danger level
2200m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
2200m
Fresh wind slabs are to be evaluated with care and prudence.
As a consequence of a moderate to strong wind, avalanche prone wind slabs formed since Sunday above approximately 2200 m. Avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. The prevalence of avalanche prone locations and likelihood of triggering will increase with altitude.
Snowpack
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
The fresh wind slabs are lying on soft layers above approximately 2200 m. The old snowpack is largely stable. The new snow is lying on a crust below approximately 2600 m.
Low and intermediate altitudes: From a snow sport perspective, in most cases insufficient snow is lying.
