Avalanche.report Thursday 19 December 2024

Danger level

2400m

Avalanche Problem

Persistent weak layer

2400m

Weak layers in the old snowpack necessitate caution. Avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular on very steep north and east facing slopes above approximately 2400 m.

Avalanches can in isolated cases be released in the old snowpack and reach medium size. Caution is to be exercised in particular on very steep northwest, north and east facing slopes above approximately 2400 m. Especially slopes adjacent to ridgelines are unfavourable.

The more recent wind slabs of the last few days are in individual cases still prone to triggering. The avalanche prone locations are to be found on very steep shady slopes at elevated altitudes. These places are clearly recognisable to the trained eye.

Isolated mostly small gliding avalanches are possible on steep grassy slopes.

Snowpack

dp.1: deep persistent weak layer
dp.2: gliding snow

Only a little snow is lying. The snowpack is faceted and weak. Fresh and older wind slabs are lying on top of a weakly bonded old snowpack in particular on northwest to north to east facing aspects above approximately 2400 m. Field observations and stability tests confirm the existence of a weak snowack.

Tendency

Over a wide area up to 20 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, will fall until midday. As a consequence of new snow and a strong to storm force wind from variable directions, avalanche prone wind slabs will form. The wind slabs will be deposited on a weakly bonded old snowpack. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain above the tree line, in isolated cases also in areas close to the tree line.

Danger level

Individual avalanche prone locations for dry avalanches are to be found on shady slopes at elevated altitudes.

As a consequence of a sometimes strong wind, clearly visible wind slabs formed in the last few days. These are mostly only small but can be released in isolated cases. Individual avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular on very steep shady slopes above approximately 2400 m.

Snowpack

dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind

As a consequence of a strong northerly foehn wind, small wind slabs formed in the last few days. These are in isolated cases prone to triggering on very steep shady slopes at elevated altitudes.

The snowpack is faceted and weak, especially on west, north and east facing slopes above the tree line. On steep sunny slopes hardly any snow is lying.
From a snow sport perspective, in most cases insufficient snow is lying.

Tendency

Over a wide area up to 15 cm of snow will fall until midday. As a consequence of new snow and a strong to storm force wind from variable directions, avalanche prone wind slabs will form. The avalanche prone locations are to be found especially in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain above the tree line.