Fresh wind slabs represent the main danger. Restraint is advisable on this first sunny day.
Large quantities of fresh snow and the wind-drifted snow can be released easily in all aspects above the tree line. Avalanches can reach large size in isolated cases. The prevalence of the avalanche prone locations will increase with altitude. Caution is to be exercised in particular on steep shady slopes, as well as adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls. As a consequence of warming during the day and solar radiation numerous loose snow avalanches are to be expected as the day progresses, in particular medium-sized ones.
Avalanches can also be triggered in the old snowpack. Avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular on steep shady slopes above approximately 2400 m. Places where surface hoar has been covered with snow are especially unfavourable. Avalanches can reach large size in isolated cases. In addition small to medium-sized gliding avalanches and wet snow slides are possible, in particular on steep sunny slopes below approximately 2600 m. Areas with glide cracks are to be avoided as far as possible.
Snowpack
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind dp.8: surface hoar blanketed with snow
30 to 40 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, has fallen. The wind was storm force in some cases. Fresh wind slabs are lying on soft layers in particular on shady slopes above the tree line. The new snow of the last few days is lying on surface hoar in particular on wind-protected shady slopes above approximately 2400 m. Sunshine and high temperatures will give rise as the day progresses to gradual moistening of the snowpack in particular on steep sunny slopes at intermediate and high altitudes.
Faceted weak layers exist in the centre of the old snowpack in particular on west, north and east facing slopes. This applies above approximately 2400 m.
Tendency
The fresh wind slabs remain prone to triggering in particular on shady slopes at elevated altitudes. More gliding avalanches and wet snow slides are to be expected.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
New snow
Treeline
Gliding snow
2400m
New snow and wind slabs require caution. Gliding snow requires caution.
Caution is to be exercised on steep shady slopes, as well as adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls in particular at elevated altitudes. As a consequence of new snow and a sometimes strong wind from southerly directions, avalanche prone wind slabs formed. Weak layers in the upper part of the snowpack can be released by individual winter sport participants. Avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular on steep shady slopes above the tree line. Places where surface hoar has been covered with snow are especially unfavourable. In particular in regions neighbouring those that are subject to danger level 4 (high) and in high Alpine regions the avalanche prone locations are more widespread and the danger is greater. Avalanches can also be triggered in the old snowpack and reach large size. Great caution and restraint are required. In addition a latent danger of gliding avalanches exists, in particular on steep grassy slopes below approximately 2400 m. These can reach quite a large size. Areas with glide cracks are to be avoided as far as possible.
Snowpack
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind dp.8: surface hoar blanketed with snow
Over a wide area over a wide area 25 to 50 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, has fallen above approximately 1500 m. As a consequence of the moderate to strong wind, fresh snow drift accumulations formed. Fresh wind slabs are lying on soft layers at elevated altitudes. They are very prone to triggering. Faceted weak layers exist in the top section of the old snowpack on west, north and east facing slopes. This applies above approximately 2400 m.
Tendency
The fresh wind slabs remain prone to triggering at elevated altitudes.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Fresh wind slabs represent the main danger.
As a consequence of new snow and a strong to storm force southerly wind, sometimes avalanche prone wind slabs formed. The fresh wind slabs can be released by a single winter sport participant in all aspects above the tree line. The prevalence of the avalanche prone locations will increase with altitude. Mostly avalanches are medium-sized. Caution is to be exercised in particular adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls. As a consequence of warming during the day and solar radiation loose snow avalanches are to be expected as the day progresses, but they will be mostly small.
In addition a certain danger of gliding avalanches exists, in particular on steep sunny slopes at intermediate and high altitudes. These can in isolated cases reach medium size. Areas with glide cracks are to be avoided as far as possible.
Snowpack
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind dp.8: surface hoar blanketed with snow
The wind was strong to storm force in some cases. 20 to 30 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, has fallen. Fresh wind slabs are lying on soft layers in particular on shady slopes above the tree line.
Tendency
The fresh wind slabs remain prone to triggering at elevated altitudes.
Danger level
1500m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
1500m
New snow is to be evaluated with care and prudence.
The soft wind slabs can be released by a single winter sport participant in some cases in particular on steep shady slopes at high altitude. In many cases avalanches are medium-sized and can be released easily even by a single winter sport participant. On steep grassy slopes many moist snow slides are possible as a consequence of warming during the day and solar radiation. In very isolated cases the gliding avalanches are large.
Snowpack
Over a wide area over a wide area 30 to 50 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, has fallen above approximately 1500 m. As a consequence of the moderate to strong wind, fresh snow drift accumulations formed. The fresh and somewhat older wind slabs are in some cases prone to triggering. At low altitude hardly any snow is lying.
Tendency
The fresh wind slabs remain prone to triggering at elevated altitudes.
