Avalanche.report

Tuesday 19.12.2023

Published 18 12 2023, 17:00


Danger level

2400m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
2400m


Wind slabs are to be evaluated with care and prudence.

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, 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.

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 in some cases 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. On Wednesday it will be cold.


Danger level



A generally favourable avalanche situation will prevail. Wet loose snow avalanches are possible.

The wind slabs are small and can only 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.