Avalanche.report

Friday 19.01.2024

Published 18 01 2024, 17:00


Danger level

treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Gliding snow
2600m


Wind slabs represent the main danger.

The fresh and somewhat older wind slabs are lying on the unfavourable surface of an old snowpack. These can be released by a single winter sport participant above the tree line. This also applies in areas close to the tree line. The wind slabs are covered with new snow in some cases and therefore difficult to recognise. They are to be avoided as far as possible. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular in gullies and bowls in all aspects, but in isolated cases also adjacent to ridgelines. Avalanches are medium-sized. Restraint should be exercised because avalanches can sweep people along and give rise to falls.
Low and intermediate altitudes: Individual moist loose snow avalanches are possible, but they will be mostly small.

In addition further individual gliding avalanches are possible, in particular on steep east, south and west facing slopes below approximately 2600 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

5 to 15 cm of snow, and up to 20 cm in some localities, has fallen. As a consequence of new snow and a strong wind from westerly directions, further wind slabs formed in the last few days in particular in gullies and bowls and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. The sometimes new snow-covered wind slabs are lying on the unfavourable surface of an old snowpack. They are rather small but prone to triggering.

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. The rain gave rise to significant moistening of the snowpack in particular at low and intermediate altitudes.

Tendency

The fresh wind slabs are bonding only slowly with the old snowpack. Slight decrease in danger of dry avalanches.


Danger level

treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline


Fresh wind slabs are easy for the trained eye to recognise but prone to triggering.

The fresh and somewhat older wind slabs can be released by a single winter sport participant in some cases above the tree line. This also applies in areas close to the tree line. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls in all aspects. The wind slabs are clearly recognisable to the trained eye. They are to be avoided as far as possible. In some cases avalanches are medium-sized. Even a small avalanche can sweep winter sport participants along and give rise to falls.

In addition further very occasional gliding avalanches are possible, in particular on steep east, south and west facing slopes below approximately 2600 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

In some regions up to 15 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, has fallen since Wednesday. Over a wide area over a wide area 5 to 10 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, will fall. As a consequence of the sometimes strong wind the wind slabs will increase in size additionally. The wind slabs are lying on the unfavourable surface of an old snowpack.

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

Fresh wind slabs require caution. The wind slabs remain prone to triggering.