Avalanche.report

Tuesday 16.01.2024

Published 15 01 2024, 17:00


Danger level

treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline


The wind slabs of last week are clearly recognisable. These represent the main danger.

The wind slabs can be released by a single winter sport participant above the tree line. The sometimes large wind slabs are clearly recognisable. They are to be avoided as far as possible in all aspects. Caution is to be exercised in all aspects in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. The number and size of avalanche prone locations will increase with altitude.

In addition further very occasional gliding avalanches are possible, in particular on steep southeast, south and southwest facing slopes below approximately 2300 m. In isolated cases the gliding avalanches are quite large, in particular in the regions with a lot of snow. Areas with glide cracks are to be avoided.

Snowpack

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

The fresh wind slabs are lying on surface hoar in some places. The somewhat older wind slabs are lying on soft layers. They are unlikely to be released now.
Towards its base, the snowpack is largely stable. Snow depths vary greatly above the tree line, depending on the infuence of the wind. The snowpack will be subject to considerable local variations.

Tendency

The large surface-area wind slabs remain in some cases prone to triggering. Over a wide area 10 to 30 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, will fall above approximately 1500 m. On Wednesday as a consequence of the strong southwesterly wind there will be an increase in the danger of dry avalanches.


Danger level

treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline


Wind slabs require caution.

The wind slabs can be released in isolated cases, especially at their margins. Caution is to be exercised in particular adjacent to ridgelines in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. Mostly avalanches are small.

Snowpack

dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind

The wind slabs are lying on soft layers. The old snowpack will be quite stable.

Tendency

Over a wide area 10 to 30 cm of snow will fall above approximately 1500 m. On Wednesday as a consequence of the strong southwesterly wind there will be an increase in the danger of dry avalanches.