Fresh 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 the tree line, 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 5 to 10 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, has fallen above approximately 1000 m. The wind will be strong in some cases. As a consequence of new snow and wind from northerly 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. As a consequence of warming, the likelihood of wet loose snow avalanches being released will increase for a while in particular on very steep sunny slopes.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Gliding snow
2400m
Fresh wind slabs represent the main danger. Gliding snow requires caution.
The fresh snow and in particular the extensive wind slabs that are being formed by the sometimes strong northerly wind must be evaluated with care and prudence in all aspects above the tree line. Single winter sport participants can release avalanches easily, including medium-sized ones. 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 still 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 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 even more in some localities, fell in the last few days above approximately 1000 m. The sometimes strong wind will transport the new snow. Fresh wind slabs are lying on soft layers in all aspects above the tree line. Faceted weak layers exist in the snowpack in particular above approximately 2200 m. The old snowpack is wet, in particular at low and intermediate altitudes.
Tendency
As a consequence of sharply rising temperatures the snow drift accumulations will stabilise, especially at high altitudes and in high Alpine regions. In particular on very steep sunny slopes moist loose snow avalanches are possible as a consequence of warming.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Gliding snow
Gliding snow represents the main danger. Fresh wind slabs require caution.
More medium-sized gliding avalanches are possible. This applies on steep grassy slopes.
The fresh wind slabs are in some cases prone to triggering on steep shady slopes. Caution is to be exercised in particular above the tree line, 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 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 increase in danger of gliding avalanches as a consequence of warming.
Danger level
2200m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
2200m
Persistent weak layer
2400m
Fresh wind slabs are to be evaluated with care and prudence.
The wind has transported the fresh and old snow. The wind slabs are to be evaluated with care and prudence in all aspects above approximately 2200 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 very isolated cases by individual winter sport participants in particular at transitions from a shallow to a deep snowpack. This applies in particular on very steep northwest, north and northeast facing slopes in particular above approximately 2400 m.
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
The weather conditions will foster a gradual settling of the snow drift accumulations. As a consequence of warming, the likelihood of moist loose snow avalanches being released will increase a little in particular on very steep sunny slopes at intermediate and high altitudes.
Danger level
2200m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
2200m
Wind slabs 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. The avalanche prone locations are rather rare. Avalanches can reach medium size.
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 weather conditions will foster a gradual settling of the snow drift accumulations. As a consequence of warming, the likelihood of wet loose snow avalanches being released will increase for a while in particular on very steep sunny slopes.
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 have increased 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 in gullies and bowls above the tree line.
Snowpack
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
Snow depths vary greatly above the tree line, depending on the infuence of the wind. In some cases the various wind slabs have bonded poorly with the old snowpack.
Tendency
The avalanche danger will persist.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Wind slabs require caution.
The fresh wind slabs are to be assessed with care and prudence. 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. Mostly avalanches are small.
Snowpack
The wind slabs will form in particular adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls and at elevated altitudes. Snow depths vary greatly above the tree line, depending on the infuence of the wind.
