Fresh wind slabs represent the main danger. Gliding snow requires caution.
The fresh wind slabs are very prone to triggering in all aspects. Caution is to be exercised in particular above approximately 2200 m, as well as in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. Avalanches can be released easily and reach medium size. The prevalence of avalanche prone locations and likelihood of triggering will increase with altitude. Shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack serve as an alarm indicating the danger. Remotely triggered and natural avalanches are possible in isolated cases.
There is a danger of gliding avalanches and moist snow slides. This applies on steep slopes below approximately 2400 m. In the course of the day the activity of gliding avalanches will increase.
Weak layers in the old snowpack can be released especially by large additional loads in particular at transitions from a shallow to a deep snowpack, when entering gullies and bowls for example. This applies on very steep slopes above approximately 2200 m. Avalanches can reach large size in isolated cases.
Snowpack
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind dp.2: gliding snow
Over a wide area 15 to 40 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, will fall above approximately 2000 m. As a consequence of new snow and a strong to storm force westerly wind, extensive wind slabs will form. These are lying on soft layers in all aspects at high altitudes and in high Alpine regions. Faceted weak layers exist in the centre of the snowpack in particular above approximately 2200 m. The rain will give rise to increasing and thorough wetting of the snowpack over a wide area in particular at low and intermediate altitudes.
Tendency
The avalanche danger will persist.
Danger level
2400m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
2400m
Fresh wind slabs require caution.
Fresh and somewhat older wind slabs are in some cases prone to triggering above approximately 2400 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. In some cases avalanches are medium-sized.
Snowpack
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
Some snow will fall. The fresh and somewhat older wind slabs are lying on soft layers in particular on shady slopes at elevated altitudes. The old snowpack is largely stable. The new snow and wind slabs are lying on a crust below approximately 2600 m. In steep terrain there is a danger of falling on the icy crust. The snowpack will be subject to considerable local variations. Snow depths vary greatly above the tree line, depending on the infuence of the wind.
From a snow sport perspective, in most cases insufficient snow is lying.
Tendency
The weather conditions will cause a gradual settling of the snow drift accumulations.
Danger level
2200m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
2200m
Persistent weak layer
2400m
Wind slabs and weakly bonded old snow require caution.
The fresh and older wind slabs are prone to triggering in particular on northwest to north to southeast facing aspects above approximately 2200 m. Mostly avalanches are medium-sized and can be released even by a single winter sport participant. In the regions neighbouring those that are subject to danger level 3 (considerable) the avalanche prone locations are more prevalent. Caution is to be exercised in particular adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls.
Weak layers in the old snowpack can be released especially by large additional loads in particular at transitions from a shallow to a deep snowpack, when entering gullies and bowls for example. This applies on very steep slopes above approximately 2400 m. Avalanches can reach large size in isolated cases.
On steep slopes small to medium-sized gliding avalanches and moist snow slides are possible below approximately 2000 m.
Snowpack
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind dp.7: snow-poor zones in snow-rich surrounding
Over a wide area 10 to 20 cm of snow will fall. As a consequence of the strong wind the wind slabs will increase in size additionally. This applies especially in the regions with a lot of snow. The fresh and somewhat older wind slabs are lying on soft layers in particular on shady slopes at elevated altitudes. The rain will give rise to softening of the snowpack in some cases at low and intermediate altitudes. Faceted weak layers exist in the centre of the snowpack in particular above approximately 2400 m.
Tendency
The avalanche danger will persist. The weather conditions will foster a gradual settling of the snow drift accumulations.
Danger level
From a snow sport perspective, in most cases insufficient snow is lying.
Avalanches can in isolated cases be released, in particular by large loads. This applies in particular on very steep shady slopes at elevated altitudes, and at transitions from a shallow to a deep snowpack, when entering gullies and bowls for example. Wind slabs are clearly recognisable to the trained eye. Mostly avalanches are small.
Snowpack
Some snow will fall in some regions. Wind slabs are to be found in particular adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls and at elevated altitudes. They are mostly small.
