Avalanche.report

Friday 15.12.2023

Published 15 12 2023, 08:00


Danger level

2000m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
2000m
Persistent weak layer
2400m


Fresh wind slabs are to be evaluated with care and prudence.

The northwesterly wind will transport the loosely bonded old snow. The various wind slabs are to be evaluated with care and prudence in all aspects above approximately 2000 m. In some cases 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.
Weak layers in the old snowpack can be released in some places even by individual winter sport participants especially at transitions from a shallow to a deep snowpack, when entering gullies and bowls for example. This applies in particular on very steep northwest, north and northeast facing slopes in particular above approximately 2400 m. These avalanche prone locations are rather rare and are difficult to recognise.

Snowpack

dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind

As a consequence of new snow and a moderate to strong northerly wind, further wind slabs will form on Thursday in all aspects. Wind slabs are lying on soft layers in particular on shady slopes at elevated altitudes. The fresh and somewhat older wind slabs are mostly easy to recognise but can be released easily especially at their margins.
Faceted weak layers exist in the centre of the snowpack in particular above approximately 2400 m. Weak layers in the old snowpack are difficult to recognise.

Tendency

On Saturday the wind will be strong at times in some regions. In the late morning further wind slabs will form in particular adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls.


Danger level

treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline


Wind slabs require caution.

The fresh and somewhat older wind slabs are to be assessed with care and prudence. On Friday the wind slabs will increase in size additionally. Mostly avalanches are small but can be released easily even by a single winter sport participant. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain.

Snowpack

dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind

Snow depths vary greatly above the tree line, depending on the infuence of the wind. As a consequence of the strong northwesterly wind, the snow drift accumulations will increase in size. In some cases the various wind slabs have bonded poorly with the old snowpack.

Tendency

On Saturday the wind will be strong at times in some regions. In the late morning further wind slabs will form in particular adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls.