Weakly bonded old snow represents the main danger.
Avalanches can in some cases be released in the old snowpack and reach medium size. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular on very steep shady slopes above approximately 2200 m and on very steep sunny slopes above approximately 2400 m. They are and are barely recognisable, even to the trained eye. Isolated whumpfing sounds can indicate the danger. 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 isolated cases still. Such avalanche prone locations are to be found on very steep shady slopes at elevated altitudes.
Small and medium-sized gliding avalanches are possible on steep grassy slopes, in particular in the regions with a lot of snow. Areas with glide cracks are to be avoided.
Snowpack
dp.1: deep persistent weak layer dp.2: gliding snow
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 shady slopes at elevated altitudes. The weather will be mild. The weather conditions will foster a gradual stabilisation of the snowpack.
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 bring about a gradual decrease in the avalanche danger.
Danger level
Avalanche Problem
Gliding snow
Gliding avalanches are possible. The more recent wind slabs are easy to recognise can only be released in isolated cases.
On steep grassy slopes individual gliding avalanches are possible, even medium-sized ones. Caution is to be exercised in areas with glide cracks.
The more recent wind slabs can be released in isolated cases on very steep shady slopes. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular adjacent to ridgelines at elevated altitudes. Avalanches can reach medium size in isolated cases.
Snowpack
dp.2: gliding snow dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind
The various wind slabs have bonded quite well 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
Wind slabs are in individual cases still prone to triggering on very steep shady slopes at elevated altitudes. Gliding snow requires caution.
Danger level
2600m
Avalanche Problem
Gliding snow
2600m
Wind slab
2600m
Wind slabs and gliding snow require caution.
Wind slabs can be released in isolated cases in particular on very steep shady slopes above approximately 2600 m. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular adjacent to ridgelines. The wind slabs are clearly recognisable to the trained eye. Avalanches can in isolated cases penetrate near-ground layers of the snowpack. This applies especially in areas where the snow cover is rather shallow, as well as at transitions from a shallow to a deep snowpack. Avalanches can reach medium size.
Small and medium-sized gliding avalanches are possible on steep grassy slopes. Areas with glide cracks are to be avoided.
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 shady 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
Persistent weak layer
2200m
Wind slab
2600m
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 2600 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 penetrate deep layers and reach medium size in isolated cases.
Snowpack
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind dp.1: deep persistent weak layer
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 and older wind slabs represent the main danger. Weak layers in the old snowpack necessitate caution.
Danger level
2600m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
2600m
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 2600 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 2600 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
2200m
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
2200m
Wind slabs require caution. The avalanche prone locations are rare.
The hard wind slabs can still be released in some cases in particular on very steep shady slopes at elevated altitudes. Such avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. 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
Hard wind slabs are lying on soft layers in particular on shady slopes at elevated altitudes. 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.
