Weakly bonded old snow represents the main danger.
Avalanches can be released in the old snowpack and reach large size in isolated cases. 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 more recent wind slabs of the last few days in particular adjacent to ridgelines are capable of being triggered in some cases still. Such avalanche prone locations are to be found on west to north to east facing aspects above approximately 2200 m.
Small and medium-sized gliding avalanches are to be expected on steep grassy slopes, in particular in the regions with a lot of snow. Areas with glide cracks are to be avoided. On extremely steep sunny slopes individual mostly small moist 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
Faceted weak layers exist in the centre of the snowpack, especially on shady slopes above approximately 2200 m, as well as on sunny slopes above approximately 2400 m. The more recent wind slabs are lying on soft layers on west to north to east facing aspects at elevated altitudes. 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 sunny slopes.
Tendency
Weak layers in the old snowpack necessitate caution. On steep grassy slopes small to medium-sized gliding avalanches are possible. The weather conditions will foster a stabilisation of the snow drift accumulations.
Danger level
2200m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
2200m
Gliding snow
Wind slabs and gliding snow require caution.
The fresh wind slabs can still be released in some cases on very steep west, north and northeast facing slopes above approximately 2200 m. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls. 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 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
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 sunny slopes.
Tendency
Wind slabs are in individual cases still prone to triggering on very steep shady slopes at elevated altitudes. Gliding snow requires caution.
Danger level
2200m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
2200m
Gliding snow
2600m
Persistent weak layer
2200m
Wind slabs and gliding snow require caution.
Wind slabs can be released even by a single winter sport participant in particular on very steep west, north and east facing slopes above approximately 2200 m. The prevalence of avalanche prone locations and likelihood of triggering will increase with altitude. The wind slabs are clearly recognisable to the trained eye. Avalanches can in isolated cases penetrate near-ground layers of the snowpack and reach large size. This applies especially in areas where the snow cover is rather shallow, as well as at transitions from a shallow to a deep snowpack.
As a consequence of warming and solar radiation, the activity of gliding avalanches has already appreciably increased. Small and medium-sized gliding avalanches are to be expected on steep grassy slopes, especially in the regions with a lot of snow, as well as in particular below approximately 2600 m. Areas with glide cracks are to be avoided. On extremely steep sunny slopes individual mostly small moist loose snow avalanches are possible as a consequence of solar radiation.
Snowpack
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind dp.2: gliding snow
The more recent wind slabs of the last few days are lying on soft layers in particular on west, north and east facing slopes at elevated altitudes. In some cases the 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 substantial stabilisation of the snow drift accumulations. The solar radiation will give rise as the day progresses to moistening of the snowpack on sunny slopes.
Tendency
The avalanche danger will decrease gradually. The snowpack remains prone to triggering in some places.
Danger level
2200m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
2200m
Persistent weak layer
2200m
Wind slabs represent the main danger. Weak layers in the lower part of the snowpack necessitate caution.
The somewhat older wind slabs can be released by a single winter sport participant in some cases above approximately 2200 m. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. In particular shady slopes are unfavourable. At elevated altitudes the avalanche prone locations will become more prevalent. Avalanches can reach medium size. They can in isolated cases penetrate deep layers and reach dangerously large size. In the south the avalanches are mostly smaller.
On extremely steep sunny slopes individual small moist loose snow avalanches are possible as a consequence of warming during the day and 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, snow drift accumulations formed during the last few days. In some cases the various wind slabs have bonded poorly with each other and the old snowpack. They are lying on top of a weakly bonded old snowpack in particular on northwest to north to southeast facing aspects. Sunshine and high temperatures will give rise as the day progresses to slight softening of the snowpack in particular on steep sunny slopes below approximately 2800 m. 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.
The somewhat older wind slabs can still be released in some cases in particular on very steep northwest, north and east facing slopes. Such avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain above approximately 2200 m. They are easy to recognise. 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
Hard wind slabs are lying on soft layers in particular on shady slopes. They are in some cases still prone to triggering above approximately 2200 m. The weather conditions will foster a stabilisation of the snow drift accumulations. Sunshine and high temperatures will give rise as the day progresses to slight softening of the snowpack in particular on steep sunny slopes below approximately 2800 m. The snowpack will be generally subject to considerable local variations. From a snow sport perspective, in most cases insufficient snow is lying.
Tendency
The hard wind slabs can be released in isolated cases.
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 shady slopes at elevated altitudes. 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 hard wind slabs are small and can only 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.
