The avalanche conditions are to some extent precarious. Wind slabs and weakly bonded old snow represent the main danger.
Avalanches can be released in the old snowpack and reach large size. The avalanche prone locations are quite prevalent and are barely recognisable, even to the trained eye. In particular above approximately 2200 m the prevalence and size of these avalanche prone locations will increase. Whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack can indicate the danger. Remotely triggered avalanches are possible in isolated cases. Backcountry touring and other off-piste activities call for caution and restraint. In addition the sometimes new snow-covered wind slabs of the last few days in particular adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls are easily triggered in some locations. On shady slopes the likelihood of avalanches is higher.
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. On extremely steep sunny slopes more small to medium-sized dry loose snow avalanches are possible as a consequence of solar radiation.
Snowpack
dp.1: deep persistent weak layer dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
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. The weather will be mild. The weather conditions will foster a stabilisation of the snow drift accumulations. Sunshine and high temperatures will give rise to moistening of the snowpack on steep sunny slopes.
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.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
New snow
Treeline
Gliding snow
2400m
Persistent weak layer
2200m
New snow and wind slabs represent the main danger. The activity of gliding avalanches will increase.
The large quantity of fresh snow and the extensive wind slabs are in some cases prone to triggering above the tree line. Avalanches can be released, even by a single winter sport participant. These can in isolated cases penetrate near-ground layers of the snowpack and reach large size. This applies in particular above approximately 2200 m. The prevalence of avalanche prone locations and likelihood of triggering will increase with altitude. Such avalanche prone locations are difficult to recognise.
As a consequence of warming and solar radiation, the activity of gliding avalanches will increase. An increasing number of small and medium-sized gliding avalanches are to be expected on steep grassy slopes, especially in the regions with a lot of snow, and in particular below approximately 2400 m. Areas with glide cracks are to be avoided. On extremely steep sunny slopes small and medium-sized dry loose snow avalanches are to be expected as a consequence of solar radiation.
Snowpack
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind dp.2: gliding snow
The various wind slabs have bonded insufficiently 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 weather will be mild. The weather conditions will foster a stabilisation of the snow drift accumulations. 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.
The fresh wind slabs can be released by a single winter sport participant in some cases on very steep west, north and northeast facing slopes 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. Avalanches can reach medium size.
On steep grassy slopes gliding avalanches are to be expected, 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
In some cases the various wind slabs have bonded still only 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 weather will be mild. The weather conditions will foster a stabilisation of the snow drift accumulations. Sunshine and high temperatures will give rise as the day progresses to moistening of the snowpack on steep sunny slopes.
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. Mostly avalanches are medium-sized. They can in isolated cases penetrate deep layers and reach dangerously large size. In the south the avalanches are mostly smaller. Caution is to be exercised in particular on very steep northwest, north and east facing slopes above approximately 2200 m.
On extremely steep slopes small 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 wind, fresh snow drift accumulations formed during the last few days. In some cases the various wind slabs have bonded poorly together. They are lying on top of a weakly bonded old snowpack in particular on northwest to north to southeast facing aspects. The weather conditions will foster a gradual stabilisation of the snow drift accumulations. 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
2200m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
2200m
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. At elevated altitudes 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 above the tree line. The weather conditions will foster a stabilisation of the snow drift accumulations. 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 require caution.
Danger level
2200m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
2200m
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. At elevated altitudes 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 above the tree line. The weather conditions will foster a stabilisation of the snow drift accumulations. 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 require caution.
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. Mostly avalanches are medium-sized. They can in isolated cases penetrate deep layers and reach dangerously large size. In the south the avalanches are mostly smaller. Caution is to be exercised in particular on very steep northwest, north and east facing slopes above approximately 2200 m.
On extremely steep slopes small 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 wind, fresh snow drift accumulations formed during the last few days. In some cases the various wind slabs have bonded poorly together. They are lying on top of a weakly bonded old snowpack in particular on northwest to north to southeast facing aspects. The weather conditions will foster a gradual stabilisation of the snow drift accumulations. 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
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.
