Avalanche.report

Tuesday 20.02.2024

Published 19 02 2024, 17:00


Danger level

2400m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
2400m


Some new snow. Fresh wind slabs require caution.

The fresh snow as well as the wind slabs that are being formed by the moderate to strong northwesterly wind represent the main danger. The fresh wind slabs can be released by a single winter sport participant in particular on steep shady slopes above approximately 2400 m. Avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain, in particular at high altitudes and in high Alpine regions. The avalanche prone locations are quite prevalent. Avalanches are medium-sized. As a consequence of solar radiation more frequent loose snow avalanches are possible in the afternoon. This applies in particular on extremely steep sunny slopes.

On very steep grassy slopes only isolated gliding avalanches are possible below approximately 2400 m.

Snowpack

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

In some localities up to 25 cm of snow fell on Monday above approximately 1500 m. 10 to 20 cm of snow will fall. The new snow and wind slabs will be deposited on a crust in all aspects below approximately 2200 m. Especially shady slopes above approximately 2400 m: The new snow and wind slabs will be deposited on soft layers.

The old snowpack remains subject to considerable local variations at high altitude. Within the snowpack, there are multiple melt-freeze crusts sandwiches with faceted layers in between, in particular on steep sunny slopes in all altitude zones, as well as on shady slopes below approximately 2600 m.

At low and intermediate altitudes only a little snow is lying.

Tendency

The fresh wind slabs will settle gradually.


Danger level

2400m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
2400m


Fresh wind slabs require caution.

Some fresh snow as well as the wind slabs that are forming during the snowfall represent the main danger. The fresh wind slabs can be released by a single winter sport participant in particular on steep shady slopes above approximately 2400 m. Avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. Avalanches are medium-sized.

In very isolated cases dry avalanches can also be released in the old snowpack. This applies in particular on the Main Alpine Ridge and to the south. Avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular in little used terrain above approximately 2400 m, especially on very steep shady slopes.

On very steep grassy slopes only isolated gliding avalanches are possible below approximately 2400 m.

Snowpack

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

In particular in the north up to 10 cm of snow will fall. The new snow and wind slabs will be deposited on a crust in all aspects below approximately 2200 m. Especially shady slopes above approximately 2400 m: The new snow and wind slabs will be deposited on soft layers.

The old snowpack remains subject to considerable local variations at high altitude. Within the snowpack, there are multiple melt-freeze crusts sandwiches with faceted layers in between, in particular on steep sunny slopes in all altitude zones, as well as on shady slopes below approximately 2600 m.

At low and intermediate altitudes only a little snow is lying.

Tendency

The fresh wind slabs will settle gradually.


Danger level

2500m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
2500m


The mostly small wind slabs of Monday represent the main danger.

The fresh wind slabs can in some places be released, even by a single winter sport participant, especially on very steep slopes above approximately 2500 m. These avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. In very isolated cases dry avalanches can also be released in the old snowpack. Mostly avalanches are rather small.
As a consequence of warming during the day and solar radiation individual wet and gliding avalanches are possible. This applies especially in case of releases originating from extremely steep, sunny starting zones below approximately 2400 m that still retain some snow.

Snowpack

As a consequence of a moderate to strong northwesterly wind, sometimes easily released wind slabs formed on Monday.
Sunshine and high temperatures gave rise to increasing and thorough wetting of the snowpack over a wide area below approximately 2400 m.
The snowpack remains subject to considerable local variations.
At low and intermediate altitudes only a little snow is lying.

Tendency

The avalanche danger will persist.


Danger level



Low avalanche danger will be encountered over a wide area.

The fresh wind slabs can in very isolated cases be released, even by a single winter sport participant, especially on very steep shady slopes above approximately 2400 m. These avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. The prevalence of the avalanche prone locations will increase with altitude. In very isolated cases dry avalanches can also be released in the old snowpack. Avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular in little used terrain above approximately 2400 m, especially on very steep shady slopes. Mostly avalanches are small.

As the temperature drops only isolated gliding avalanches are possible.

Snowpack

dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind

Some snow will fall in some localities, especially in the north. As a consequence of a moderate to strong northwesterly wind, clearly visible wind slabs formed on Monday.

The surface of the snowpack will only just freeze and will soften during the day, especially at intermediate altitudes. The high temperatures gave rise to increasing and thorough wetting of the snowpack over a wide area below approximately 2400 m.

The snowpack remains subject to considerable local variations. Within the snowpack, there are multiple melt-freeze crusts sandwiches with faceted layers in between, in particular on steep sunny slopes in all altitude zones, as well as on shady slopes below approximately 2600 m.

At low and intermediate altitudes only a little snow is lying.

Tendency

Currently there are quite favourable conditions generally. Low avalanche danger will be encountered over a wide area.