New snow represents the main danger. Gliding snow requires caution.
The extensive wind slabs of Wednesday are covered with new snow and therefore difficult to recognise. Single winter sport participants can release avalanches easily, including medium-sized ones. Individual natural avalanches are possible, even large ones in isolated cases. Shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack serve as an alarm indicating the danger.
In addition there is a danger of gliding avalanches. This applies on steep grassy 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.
Snowpack
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind dp.2: gliding snow
Over a wide area 20 to 30 cm of snow, and up to 50 cm in some localities, has fallen above approximately 1000 m. The more recent wind slabs are lying on soft layers in all aspects at high altitudes and in high Alpine regions. They are covered with new snow and therefore difficult to recognise. Faceted weak layers exist in 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. The old snowpack is wet, in particular at low and intermediate altitudes.
Tendency
As a consequence of rising temperatures the snowpack will settle during the next few days. Gradual decrease in danger of gliding avalanches as a consequence of the ceasing of precipitation.
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 fresh 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
Over a wide area 10 to 20 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, has fallen above approximately 1000 m. The wind will be strong in some cases, in particular in the east on the Main Alpine Ridge. As a consequence of new snow and wind from northwesterly directions, sometimes large wind slabs formed. More recent 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.
Tendency
As a consequence of rising temperatures the snowpack will settle during the next few days. Gradual decrease in danger of gliding avalanches as a consequence of the ceasing of precipitation.
Danger level
Avalanche Problem
Gliding snow
Gliding snow represents the main danger. New snow requires caution.
More medium-sized gliding avalanches are possible. This applies on steep grassy slopes.
The fresh wind slabs are in isolated cases prone to triggering on steep shady slopes. 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 avalanche prone locations are covered with new snow and are therefore difficult to recognise.
Snowpack
dp.2: gliding snow dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
Over a wide area 10 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, has fallen above approximately 1000 m. More recent wind slabs are lying on soft layers in particular on near-ridge shady slopes at elevated altitudes. They are covered with new snow and therefore difficult to recognise. The old snowpack is wet, in particular at low and intermediate altitudes.
Tendency
Gradual decrease in danger of gliding avalanches as a consequence of the ceasing of precipitation.
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 above approximately 2200 m. Mostly avalanches are medium-sized and can be released even by a single winter sport participant. Caution is to be exercised in particular adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls. In the regions neighbouring those that are subject to danger level 3 (considerable) the avalanche prone locations are more prevalent.
Weak layers in the old snowpack can be released in very isolated cases in particular at transitions from a shallow to a deep snowpack, when entering gullies and bowls for example. This applies on very steep shady slopes above approximately 2400 m, especially in the north. Avalanches can reach medium size.
On steep slopes mostly small gliding avalanches 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 a strong to storm force northwesterly wind, wind slabs will form. These are lying on soft layers in all aspects at elevated 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.
