The avalanche conditions are to some extent precarious.
The large quantity of fresh snow and the extensive wind slabs are prone to triggering above the tree line. Even single winter sport participants can release avalanches, including dangerously large ones. The prevalence of avalanche prone locations and likelihood of triggering will increase with altitude. The avalanche prone locations are sometimes covered with new snow difficult to recognise. Avalanches can in isolated cases penetrate near-ground layers of the snowpack. This applies in particular above approximately 2200 m.
On extremely steep sunny slopes numerous small and medium-sized dry loose snow avalanches are to be expected as a consequence of solar radiation. Some small and medium-sized gliding avalanches are to be expected on steep grassy slopes. Areas with glide cracks are to be avoided.
Snowpack
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind dp.1: deep persistent weak layer
Over a wide area 40 to 70 cm of snow has fallen since Saturday. The wind was strong at times. The various wind slabs have bonded poorly with each other and the old snowpack. Isolated avalanche prone weak layers exist in the bottom section of the old snowpack above approximately 2200 m. The solar radiation will give rise as the day progresses to moistening of the snowpack on steep sunny slopes.
Tendency
The avalanche danger will decrease gradually. The snowpack remains prone to triggering in some places.
Danger level
2200m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2200m
Wind slab
Treeline
Gliding snow
2400m
Distinct weak layers in the old snowpack necessitate caution and restraint. Remotely triggered avalanches are possible in isolated cases.
The avalanche conditions are precarious. Wind slabs and weakly bonded old snow represent the main danger.
The fresh snow and in particular the extensive wind slabs can be released very easily in all aspects at high altitudes and in high Alpine regions. Avalanches can in some cases penetrate near-ground layers of the snowpack and reach large size. In particular above approximately 2200 m the prevalence and size of such avalanche prone locations will increase. The avalanche prone locations are quite prevalent and are difficult to recognise. Whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack are a clear indication of a weakly bonded snowpack. Remotely triggered avalanches are possible in isolated cases. Backcountry touring and other off-piste activities call for great caution and restraint.
On extremely steep sunny slopes small to medium-sized dry loose snow avalanches are to be expected as a consequence of solar radiation. Small and medium-sized gliding avalanches are to be expected on steep grassy slopes, in the regions exposed to a lot of new snow in particular in the north. Areas with glide cracks are to be avoided.
Snowpack
dp.1: deep persistent weak layer dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
Over a wide area 20 to 40 cm of snow has fallen since Saturday. The wind was strong at times. The new snow and wind slabs are lying on top of a weakly bonded old snowpack. Faceted weak layers exist in the old snowpack, especially on shady slopes above approximately 2200 m, as well as on sunny slopes above approximately 2400 m.
Tendency
The snowpack remains prone to triggering. Even single winter sport participants can release avalanches easily. Backcountry touring and other off-piste activities call for caution and restraint.
The fresh wind slabs can be released by a single winter sport participant in some cases above the tree line. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. The prevalence of avalanche prone locations and likelihood of triggering will increase with altitude. Shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack can indicate the danger. Avalanches can reach medium size.
On steep grassy slopes gliding avalanches are possible, even medium-sized ones. Caution is to be exercised in areas with glide cracks.
Snowpack
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind dp.2: gliding snow
Over a wide area 20 to 40 cm of snow has fallen since Saturday. As a consequence of new snow and a sometimes strong wind from northerly directions, soft wind slabs formed. In some cases the various wind slabs have bonded poorly with each other and the old snowpack. Isolated avalanche prone weak layers exist in the bottom section of the old snowpack above approximately 2200 m.
Tendency
Gradual decrease in danger of dry avalanches.
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.
Fresh wind slabs can be released by a single winter sport participant in some cases in all aspects above the tree line. 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 will become more prevalent. Whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack can indicate the danger. Avalanches are medium-sized. They can in isolated cases penetrate deep layers and reach dangerously large size. Caution is to be exercised in particular on very steep northwest, north and east facing slopes above approximately 2200 m.
On steep slopes small dry loose snow avalanches are possible as a consequence of solar radiation. 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
As a consequence of snowfall and the storm force wind, fresh snow drift accumulations formed during the last few days. In some cases the various wind slabs have bonded poorly together. The fresh and somewhat older wind slabs are lying on top of a weakly bonded old snowpack in particular on northwest to north to southeast facing aspects. The snowpack will be subject to considerable local variations.
Tendency
Fresh wind slabs represent the main danger. Weak layers in the old snowpack necessitate caution.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Wind slabs represent the main danger.
The fresh wind slabs are clearly recognisable to the trained eye. They can be released easily by a single winter sport participant in all aspects above the tree line. Mostly the avalanches are small but easily released. 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 danger is a little higher. In some cases the avalanches in these loacations are medium-sized. Whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack can indicate the danger. Caution is to be exercised in particular in gullies and bowls in high Alpine regions in all aspects.
Snowpack
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
From a snow sport perspective, in most cases insufficient snow is lying. The snowpack will be generally subject to considerable local variations. Over a wide area various wind slab layers are lying on a hard crust. As a consequence of the sometimes storm force wind these have increased in size additionally.
Tendency
The wind slabs represent the main danger.
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 and somewhat older wind slabs can be released even by a single winter sport participant in all aspects above the tree line. Avalanches can in isolated cases 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 danger is a little higher. Whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack can indicate the danger.
Avalanches can in some cases penetrate deep layers and reach quite a large size. Caution is to be exercised in particular on very steep northwest, north and east facing slopes above approximately 2200 m.
On steep slopes numerous mostly small dry loose snow avalanches are possible as a consequence of solar radiation. 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
As a consequence of snowfall and the storm force wind, fresh snow drift accumulations formed during the last few days. As a consequence of the stormy weather these have increased in size additionally on Tuesday. The fresh and somewhat older wind slabs are lying on top of a weakly bonded old snowpack in particular on west to north to southeast facing aspects. The various wind slabs have bonded poorly with each other and the old snowpack.
The snowpack will be subject to considerable local variations.
Tendency
Fresh wind slabs represent the main danger. Weak layers in the old snowpack necessitate caution.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
The amount of snow is subject to significant local variations. Fresh wind slabs require caution.
More recent wind slabs can be released by a single winter sport participant in some cases in particular on very steep northwest, north and east facing slopes above the tree line. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. In regions neighbouring those that are subject to danger level 3 (considerable) the avalanche prone locations are a little more prevalent. Mostly avalanches are only 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
The wind will be strong. Fresh wind slabs 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
Fresh wind slabs must be evaluated with care and prudence.
Danger level
A little snow is lying. A generally favourable avalanche situation will prevail.
The hard wind slabs can be released in isolated cases on very steep northwest, north and east facing slopes above the tree line. The wind slabs are small. The avalanche prone locations are to be found at transitions into gullies and bowls. Such avalanche prone locations are rare and are easy to recognise. Restraint should be exercised because avalanches can sweep people along and give rise to falls.
Snowpack
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
The wind will be strong in some cases. Fresh wind slabs are only small but can be released in isolated cases. The snowpack will be generally subject to considerable local variations. Only a little snow is lying in all altitude zones.
