Avalanche.report

Wednesday 20.12.2023

Published 19 12 2023, 17:00


Danger level


Avalanche Problem
Gliding snow


Gliding snow represents the main danger.

As a consequence of warming more medium-sized gliding avalanches are possible. This applies on steep grassy slopes.

The older wind slabs are in individual cases still prone to triggering on steep shady slopes. Very isolated avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular on very steep shady slopes at high altitude. The wind will be moderate to strong. Fresh wind slabs will form in particular adjacent to ridgelines on north facing slopes.

Snowpack

dp.2: gliding snow

The old snowpack is wet, in particular at low and intermediate altitudes.

As a consequence of rising temperatures the snow drift accumulations stabilised. The fresh wind slabs will be deposited on soft layers on shady slopes.

Tendency

Increase in avalanche danger as a consequence of new snow and strong wind.


Danger level

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


Gliding snow represents the main danger. Wind slabs require caution.

A certain danger of gliding avalanches exists. This applies on steep east, south and west facing slopes below approximately 2400 m. Areas with glide cracks are to be avoided as far as possible.

The somewhat older wind slabs are in individual cases still prone to triggering especially on very steep shady slopes above approximately 2400 m. These can especially at their margins be released by a single winter sport participant and reach medium size. The avalanche prone locations are easy to recognise. Caution is to be exercised in particular in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain.

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. Avalanche prone locations are to be found on very steep shady slopes above approximately 2200 m. These places are very rare but are difficult to recognise. Avalanches can reach large size in isolated cases.

Snowpack

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

Sunshine and high temperatures gave rise to gradual moistening of the snowpack. Towards its base, the snowpack is moist. This applies at low and intermediate altitudes.

Wind slabs are lying on soft layers in particular on near-ridge shady slopes at high altitudes and in high Alpine regions. This applies in particular on shady slopes.
Towards its base, the snowpack is faceted.
Some snow will fall in some localities.

Tendency

The avalanche danger will persist.


Danger level

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


Gliding snow requires caution. Wind slabs require caution.

A substantial danger of gliding avalanches exists. This applies in particular on very steep sunny slopes below approximately 2400 m. Areas with glide cracks are to be avoided as far as possible.

The somewhat older wind slabs remain prone to triggering. This applies in particular on shady slopes. Caution is to be exercised in particular above approximately 2400 m, as well as in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. Avalanches can in isolated cases be released by a single winter sport participant and reach medium size. As a consequence of snowfall and the moderate to strong northwesterly wind, fresh snow drift accumulations will form.

Snowpack

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

The high temperatures gave rise to gradual moistening of the snowpack in particular on very steep sunny slopes. Towards its base, the snowpack is moist. This applies at low and intermediate altitudes.

The snowpack is largely stable. As a consequence of rising temperatures the snow drift accumulations stabilised. The fresh and somewhat older wind slabs are lying on soft layers in particular on near-ridge shady slopes at high altitudes and in high Alpine regions. Towards its base, the snowpack is faceted.

Tendency

Increase in avalanche danger as a consequence of new snow and strong wind.


Danger level

2400m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
2400m


Wind slabs require caution.

The no longer entirely fresh wind slabs are in some cases still prone to triggering above approximately 2400 m. Wind slabs can in very isolated cases be released by a single winter sport participant and reach medium size. Very isolated avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular on very steep shady slopes. 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 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. The avalanche prone locations are very rare but are barely recognisable.

In the regions with a lot of snow individual gliding avalanches are possible.

Snowpack

dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
dp.7: snow-poor zones in snow-rich surrounding

The wind slabs 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

Wind slabs require caution.


Danger level

2400m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
2400m


Wind slabs require caution.

The wind slabs are in individual cases still prone to triggering in particular on very steep shady slopes above approximately 2400 m. The mostly small wind slabs are clearly recognisable to the trained eye. Caution is to be exercised in particular adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls.

In addition as the day progresses on south facing slopes, very occasional mostly small loose snow avalanches are possible.

Snowpack

dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind

The wind slabs are lying on soft layers in particular on shady slopes at elevated altitudes. Sunshine and high temperatures will give rise as the day progresses to slight moistening of the snowpack in particular on sunny slopes.

Tendency

Wind slabs require caution.


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.