Avalanche.report

Wednesday 21.02.2024

Published 20 02 2024, 17:00


Danger level

2400m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
2400m


Fresh wind slabs require caution.

The fresh snow of Monday as well as the wind slabs formed 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, and even more in some localities, fell yesterday. The new snow and wind slabs are lying on a crust in all aspects below approximately 2200 m. Especially shady slopes above approximately 2400 m: The new snow and wind slabs are lying 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 the last few days represent the main danger.

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 wind from northwesterly directions, sometimes easily released wind slabs formed in the last few days.
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. Outgoing longwave radiation during the night will be good. The snowpack consists of faceted crystals and its surface has a crust that is strong in many cases. There is a danger of falling here.

Tendency

The avalanche danger will persist.


Danger level

2400m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
2400m


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. Avalanches are medium-sized.

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

Over a wide area 10 to 30 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, fell in the last few days. The new snow and wind slabs are lying 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



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.

Only isolated gliding avalanches are possible.

Snowpack

dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind

Some snow has fallen in some localities, especially in the north. As a consequence of a moderate to strong northwesterly wind, clearly visible wind slabs formed.

The surface of the snowpack will freeze to form a strong crust and will soften during the day, especially at intermediate altitudes.

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

Some snow will fall on Thursday. Hardly any increase in avalanche danger.