Avalanche.report

Thursday 04.01.2024

Published 03 01 2024, 17:00


Danger level

2200m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
2200m


Fresh wind slabs represent the main danger.

As a consequence of the strong wind, fresh snow drift accumulations will form. These are prone to triggering at elevated altitudes. Caution is to be exercised in particular adjacent to ridgelines in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain above approximately 2200 m. The number and size of avalanche prone locations will increase with altitude. These avalanche prone locations are easy to recognise.

In addition a latent danger of gliding avalanches exists, in particular on steep east, south and west facing slopes below approximately 2600 m. Gliding avalanches can be released at any time of day or night. In isolated cases they are quite large. This applies in the regions with a lot of snow. Caution is to be exercised in areas with glide cracks.

Snowpack

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

Some snow will fall in some localities. Over a wide area 5 to 20 cm of snow fell on Sunday above approximately 1000 m. In the Venediger Range up to 30 cm of snow fell on Sunday above approximately 1000 m. The wind will be strong over a wide area. The fresh wind slabs are lying on soft layers at elevated altitudes. The fresh wind slabs can in some cases be released easily.

The new snow is lying on a crust in all aspects below approximately 2600 m. Low and intermediate altitudes: The old snowpack is fairly homogeneous and its surface has a melt-freeze crust that is strong in many cases. This also applies on steep sunny slopes at high altitude.

The old snowpack will be stable over a wide area.

Tendency

Fresh wind slabs require caution.
A latent danger of gliding avalanches exists.


Danger level

2200m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
2200m


The conditions are generally favourable. Fresh wind slabs require caution.

As a consequence of snowfall and the strong wind, fresh snow drift accumulations formed. The wind slabs can be released by a single winter sport participant in isolated cases. At high altitude these avalanche prone locations are more prevalent. These avalanche prone locations are easy to recognise. Caution is to be exercised in particular adjacent to ridgelines in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain above approximately 2200 m.

Snowpack

dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind

Snow depths vary greatly above the tree line, depending on the infuence of the wind. The fresh wind slabs are poorly bonded with the old snowpack at elevated altitudes. Towards its base, the snowpack is faceted.
In particular at low and intermediate altitudes a little snow is lying.

Tendency

Fresh wind slabs require caution. The avalanche danger will persist.


Danger level



Fresh and older wind slabs require caution. Individual avalanche prone locations are to be found in steep terrain at high altitude.

In all aspects as well as in all altitude zones from a snow sport perspective, in most cases insufficient snow is lying. Individual avalanche prone locations are to be found in shady places that are protected from the wind at high altitude.

Snowpack

In all altitude zones only a little snow is lying. Snow depths vary greatly above the tree line, depending on the infuence of the wind. The snowpack will be quite stable.

Tendency

The avalanche danger will persist.


Danger level



The conditions are generally favourable. Fresh wind slabs require caution.

In some places small wind slabs formed. The fresh wind slabs can be released in isolated cases on steep shady slopes in high Alpine regions. The avalanche prone locations are rare and are easy to recognise.
In steep terrain there is a danger of falling on the hard snow surface.

Snowpack

dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind

In some regions up to 10 cm of snow has fallen above approximately 1000 m. The strong wind has transported the new snow. The old snowpack will be stable over a wide area.

Low and intermediate altitudes: The snowpack is wet all the way through and its surface has a melt-freeze crust that is strong in many cases.

Tendency

Fresh wind slabs require caution.