Avalanche.report

Sunday 17.12.2023

Published 16 12 2023, 17:00


Danger level

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


Fresh wind slabs represent the main danger. Gliding snow requires caution.

The fresh wind slabs remain in some cases prone to triggering. This applies in particular on shady slopes, also on sunny slopes at elevated altitudes. 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.

As a consequence of warming loose snow avalanches are to be expected, but they will be mostly small. In addition there is a danger of gliding avalanches. 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. Individual avalanche prone locations are to be found on very steep shady 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

The wind was 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

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

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


Fresh wind slabs represent the main danger. Gliding snow requires caution.

The fresh wind slabs remain in some cases prone to triggering. This applies in particular on shady slopes, also on sunny slopes at elevated altitudes. 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 by a single winter sport participant 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.

As a consequence of warming loose snow avalanches are to be expected, but they will be mostly small. In addition there is a danger of gliding avalanches. 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 in particular on very steep shady slopes above approximately 2200 m. These avalanche prone locations are very rare. Avalanches can reach large size in isolated cases.

Snowpack

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

The wind was 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


Avalanche Problem
Gliding snow
Wind slab
Treeline


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

As a consequence of warming 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

More recent wind slabs are lying on soft layers in particular on near-ridge shady slopes at elevated altitudes. As a consequence of rising temperatures the snow drift accumulations will stabilise. 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


Wind slabs require caution.

The fresh and older wind slabs are in some cases prone to triggering above approximately 2200 m. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular in west to north to east facing aspects. Avalanches can be released by a single winter sport participant and reach medium size. Caution is to be exercised in particular adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls. As a consequence of warming loose snow avalanches are to be expected, but they will be mostly small.

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 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 formed in the last few days in gullies and bowls and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. These are lying on soft layers in particular on shady slopes at elevated altitudes.
Faceted weak layers exist in the centre of the snowpack in particular above approximately 2400 m. Sunshine and high temperatures will give rise as the day progresses to slight moistening of the snowpack in particular on sunny slopes.

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 further in particular on very steep sunny slopes.


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



Wind slabs require caution. Wet loose snow avalanches are possible.

The fresh wind slabs are mostly only small but can be released in isolated cases. Individual avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain, especially on very steep shady slopes at elevated altitudes.
As a consequence of warming during the day and solar radiation individual wet loose snow avalanches are possible, but they will be mostly small. This applies on extremely steep sunny slopes.

Snowpack

Wind slabs are to be found in particular adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls. They are mostly small and unlikely to be released now. Sunshine and high temperatures will give rise as the day progresses to increasing moistening of the snowpack especially on sunny slopes. Snow depths vary greatly above the tree line, depending on the infuence of the wind.

Tendency

Moist and wet snow slides are still possible.


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.