Avalanche.report

Tuesday 12.12.2023

Published 11 12 2023, 17:00


Danger level

2200m
Avalanche Problem
New snow
2200m
Gliding snow
2400m
Persistent weak layer
2200m


New snow represents the main danger. Gliding snow requires caution.

Large quantities of fresh snow and the wind-drifted snow of the last few days remain prone to triggering. The large quantity of fresh snow and the sometimes large wind slabs remain prone to triggering. Single winter sport participants can release avalanches easily. In some places these can penetrate even deep layers and reach large size. Such avalanche prone locations are sometimes covered with new snow and are therefore barely recognisable. Shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack serve as an alarm indicating the danger.

A substantial danger of gliding avalanches exists. This applies on steep grassy slopes below approximately 2400 m. In addition at low and intermediate altitudes, wet loose snow slides are possible.

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.

Snowpack

dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
dp.2: gliding snow

Up to 60 cm of snow has fallen since Saturday above approximately 2000 m. As a consequence of new snow and a strong westerly wind, extensive wind slabs formed. The wind slabs are lying on soft layers in all aspects at high altitudes and in high Alpine regions. They are covered with new snow in some cases and therefore difficult to recognise. Faceted weak layers exist in the centre of the snowpack in particular above approximately 2200 m. The rain gave rise to thorough wetting of the snowpack in particular at low and intermediate altitudes.

Tendency

The avalanche danger will persist.


Danger level

2200m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
2200m
Gliding snow
2400m
Persistent weak layer
2200m


Wind slabs represent the main danger. Gliding snow requires caution.

The sometimes large wind slabs are 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 can indicate the danger.

There is a danger of gliding avalanches and moist snow slides. This applies on steep slopes below approximately 2400 m.

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

In some localities up to 10 cm of snow will fall above approximately 2000 m. The wind will be moderate to strong. As a consequence of new snow and a strong wind from westerly directions, avalanche prone wind slabs formed. The fresh and somewhat older wind slabs 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 weather conditions will give rise to thorough wetting of the snowpack in particular at low and intermediate altitudes.

Tendency

Some snow will fall over a wide area. The avalanche danger will persist.


Danger level

2400m
Avalanche Problem
Gliding snow
2400m
Wind slab
2200m


Gliding snow represents the main danger. Fresh wind slabs require caution.

More frequent medium-sized gliding avalanches are to be expected. This applies on steep grassy slopes below approximately 2400 m. In addition at low and intermediate altitudes, individual wet loose snow avalanches are possible.

The rather small wind slabs are in some cases still prone to triggering in particular on northwest to north to southeast facing 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. The prevalence of avalanche prone locations and likelihood of triggering will increase with altitude. Avalanches can in isolated cases reach medium size.

Snowpack

dp.2: gliding snow
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind

The rain gave rise to thorough wetting of the snowpack over a wide area in particular at low and intermediate altitudes. As a consequence of new snow and a strong westerly wind, mostly small wind slabs formed. These are lying on soft layers in particular on northwest to north to southeast facing aspects at elevated altitudes.

Tendency

The avalanche danger will persist.


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

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 weather conditions 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

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

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.