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.
