The fresh and somewhat older wind slabs represent the main danger.
In the last few days rather small wind slabs formed at high altitudes and in high Alpine regions. The no longer entirely fresh wind slabs are in some cases prone to triggering in particular on northwest to north to east facing aspects above approximately 2000 m. These are covered with new snow and therefore barely recognisable. As a consequence of new snow and a moderate wind from northeasterly directions, further wind slabs formed on Sunday in some places. Caution is to be exercised in particular adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls. In high Alpine regions the avalanche prone locations are more prevalent. Avalanches are rather small but can be released even by a single winter sport participant.
Apart from the danger of being buried, restraint should be exercised as well in view of the danger of avalanches sweeping people along and giving rise to falls. The Avalanche Warning Service currently has only a small amount of information that has been collected in the field, so that the avalanche danger should be investigated especially thoroughly in the relevant locality.
Snowpack
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
5 to 20 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, has fallen since Friday. The fresh wind slabs are lying on soft layers above approximately 2000 m.
In all altitude zones only a little snow is lying. The snowpack will be subject to considerable local variations. Snow depths vary greatly, depending on the infuence of the wind.
Tendency
Wind slabs require caution. Caution is to be exercised in particular adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls.
Danger level
2000m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
2000m
Persistent weak layer
2400m
The fresh and somewhat older wind slabs represent the main danger. Avalanches can be released in the weakly bonded old snow.
In the last few days rather small wind slabs formed at high altitudes and in high Alpine regions. The no longer entirely fresh wind slabs are in some cases prone to triggering in particular on northwest to north to east facing aspects above approximately 2000 m. These are covered with new snow and therefore barely recognisable. As a consequence of new snow and a moderate wind from northeasterly directions, further wind slabs formed on Sunday in some places. Caution is to be exercised in particular adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls. In high Alpine regions the avalanche prone locations are more prevalent. Avalanches are rather small but can be released even by a single winter sport participant.
Additionally in isolated cases avalanches can also be released in the old snowpack and reach medium size in isolated cases, in particular on very steep northwest, north and east facing slopes above approximately 2400 m. Caution is to be exercised in particular adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls.
Apart from the danger of being buried, restraint should be exercised as well in view of the danger of avalanches sweeping people along and giving rise to falls. The Avalanche Warning Service currently has only a small amount of information that has been collected in the field, so that the avalanche danger should be investigated especially thoroughly in the relevant locality.
Snowpack
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind dp.1: deep persistent weak layer
5 to 20 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, has fallen since Friday. The fresh wind slabs are lying on soft layers above approximately 2000 m.
Faceted weak layers exist in the centre of the old snowpack, especially on northwest, north and east facing slopes at high altitudes and in high Alpine regions.
In all altitude zones only a little snow is lying. The snowpack will be subject to considerable local variations. Snow depths vary greatly, depending on the infuence of the wind.
Tendency
Wind slabs require caution. Caution is to be exercised in particular adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls.
