Avalanche.report

Sunday 17.12.2023

Published 16 12 2023, 17:00


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. 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. 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

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 in particular on very steep sunny slopes at intermediate and high altitudes.


Danger level

treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Wet snow
Treeline


Wind slabs require caution. Wet snow is to be evaluated critically.

The fresh and somewhat older wind slabs are to be assessed with care and prudence. The danger of moist avalanches will increase a little during the day. 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.