Avalanche.report

Saturday 21 December 2024

Published 20 Dec 2024, 17:00:00


Danger level

treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Persistent weak layer
2200m


Fresh wind slabs represent the main danger. Avalanches can also be triggered in near-ground layers.

The extensive wind slabs of Friday can be released easily, even by a single winter sport participant, on northwest to north to southeast facing aspects. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain above the tree line. Individual avalanche prone locations are to be found also in areas close to the tree line. The avalanche prone locations are sometimes covered with new snow and are therefore difficult to recognise. Whumpfing sounds and shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack serve as an alarm indicating the danger.

Avalanches can also be triggered in near-ground layers and reach quite a large size. This applies in particular on very steep north and east facing slopes above approximately 2200 m.

On extremely steep sunny slopes small to medium-sized loose snow avalanches are to be expected as a consequence of solar radiation. Isolated gliding avalanches are possible on steep grassy slopes.

Snowpack

dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
dp.1: deep persistent weak layer

Over a wide area 20 to 40 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, has fallen. The fresh snow and in particular the extensive wind slabs formed by the strong northwesterly wind are lying on the unfavourable surface of an old snowpack especially on steep north and east facing slopes. Avalanche prone weak layers exist in the bottom section of the old snowpack at high altitude.

Tendency

In some regions increase in avalanche danger as the precipitation becomes more intense. Over a wide area 10 to 20 cm of snow will fall on Sunday. In particular along the border with Vorarlberg 30 to 40 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, will fall. The wind will be storm force in some cases.


Danger level

treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Persistent weak layer
2200m


Fresh wind slabs represent the main danger. Weak layers in the lower part of the snowpack necessitate caution.

The fresh wind slabs are in some cases prone to triggering on northwest to north to southeast facing aspects above the tree line. Single winter sport participants can release avalanches as before, including medium-sized ones. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. At elevated altitudes the avalanche prone locations are present in all aspects. Shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack can indicate the danger.

Avalanches can in isolated cases be triggered in near-ground layers. Caution is to be exercised in particular on very steep northwest, north and east facing slopes above approximately 2200 m.

As a consequence of warming during the day and solar radiation mostly small loose snow avalanches are to be expected. This applies on extremely steep sunny slopes.

Snowpack

dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
dp.1: deep persistent weak layer

10 to 20 cm of snow fell on Friday. As a consequence of a storm force wind from northwesterly directions, avalanche prone wind slabs formed. They are lying on the unfavourable surface of an old snowpack in particular on northwest to north to southeast facing aspects. The new snow and wind slabs are lying on a crust on steep sunny slopes and generally at intermediate and high altitudes. The snowpack will be in some cases subject to considerable local variations.

Tendency

Increase in avalanche danger as a consequence of new snow and strong wind. Fresh wind slabs represent the main danger. Weak layers in the old snowpack necessitate caution.


Danger level

treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline


Fresh wind slabs are to be avoided.

The mostly small wind slabs can be released by a single winter sport participant in some cases on northwest to north to east facing aspects above the tree line. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in gullies and bowls. Their prevalence will increase with altitude. Apart from the danger of being buried, restraint should be exercised in particular in view of the danger of avalanches sweeping people along and giving rise to falls.

As a consequence of warming during the day and solar radiation small loose snow avalanches are to be expected. This applies on extremely steep sunny slopes.

Snowpack

dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind

10 to 20 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, has fallen. As a consequence of a strong to storm force wind from northerly directions, brittle wind slabs formed. These are lying on soft layers at elevated altitudes.
The snowpack will be generally subject to considerable local variations. From a snow sport perspective, in most cases insufficient snow is lying.

Tendency

The wind slabs represent the main danger. Avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular in gullies and bowls. Some snow will fall.


Danger level

treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline


Fresh wind slabs represent the main danger.

The fresh wind slabs are prone to triggering on northwest to north to southeast facing aspects. Even single winter sport participants can release avalanches in some places. The avalanche prone locations are to be found adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls above the tree line. Individual avalanche prone locations are to be found also in areas close to the tree line. They are sometimes covered with new snow and are therefore difficult to recognise. Avalanches can reach medium size. Shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack can indicate the danger.

On extremely steep sunny slopes small and, in isolated cases, medium-sized loose snow avalanches are to be expected as a consequence of solar radiation. Small gliding avalanches are possible on steep grassy slopes.

Snowpack

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

Over a wide area 10 to 30 cm of snow has fallen. As a consequence of a moderate to strong wind from northwesterly directions, wind slabs formed adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls. These are lying on the unfavourable surface of an old snowpack in particular on steep north and east facing slopes above the tree line.

Tendency

As a consequence of new snow and a sometimes storm force westerly wind, further wind slabs will form on Sunday. Avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain above the tree line.