Fresh wind slabs represent the main danger. Avalanches can also be triggered in near-ground layers.
The wind slabs of the last few days can be released easily, even by a single winter sport participant, on northwest to north to southeast facing aspects. As a consequence of new snow and wind the already large wind slabs will increase in size additionally as the day progresses. 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. At elevated altitudes the avalanche prone locations are to be found in all aspects. Whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack can indicate 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.
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 10 to 15 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, will fall until the evening. The wind will be strong to storm force adjacent to ridgelines. As a consequence of new snow and wind the wind slabs will increase in size additionally. These are lying on the unfavourable surface of an old snowpack on north and east facing slopes. This applies in all aspects at elevated altitudes. Faceted weak layers exist in the bottom section of the old snowpack at high altitude.
Tendency
Increase in avalanche danger. Over a wide area 20 to 30 cm of snow, and up to 40 cm in some localities, will fall on Monday. The wind will be strong at times.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Fresh wind slabs are to be avoided.
The more recent wind slabs can be released easily by a single winter sport participant in particular on west to north to southeast facing aspects above the tree line. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. Their prevalence will increase with altitude. Whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack can indicate the danger. Mostly avalanches are rather small. 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.
Snowpack
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
Some snow will fall. As a consequence of a strong wind from westerly directions, avalanche prone wind slabs will form. 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
In particular in the north up to 15 cm of snow will fall. The avalanche danger will increase. Fresh wind slabs represent the main danger.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Persistent weak layer
2200m
Increase in avalanche danger as a consequence of new snow and wind. Fresh wind slabs represent the main danger. Weak layers in the lower part of the snowpack necessitate caution.
The fresh wind slabs will become increasingly prone to triggering. They can be released easily by a single winter sport participant in particular on west to north to southeast facing aspects above the tree line. Avalanches can also reach medium size. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. At elevated altitudes the avalanche prone locations are present in all aspects. In the regions neighbouring those that are subject to danger level 3 (considerable) the avalanche danger is higher. Whumpfing sounds and the formation of 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 the new snow more frequent loose snow avalanches are to be expected. On very steep grassy slopes individual gliding avalanches are possible, but they will be mostly small.
Snowpack
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind dp.1: deep persistent weak layer
10 to 20 cm of snow will fall. As a consequence of a strong wind from westerly directions, avalanche prone wind slabs will form. The fresh snow and in particular the extensive wind slabs are lying on top of a weakly bonded old snowpack especially on west 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 subject to considerable local variations.
Tendency
Further increase in avalanche danger as a consequence of new snow and wind. Over a wide area 15 to 30 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, will fall. Fresh wind slabs represent the main danger. Weak layers in the old snowpack necessitate caution.
